Prior to 1980, Martinborough, 90 minutes northeast of Wellington was a sleepy little place surrounded by sheep farms, unsurprisingly in a country where there are more sheep than humans to this day. Then a government commissioned report identifed this area as highly suitable climactically and terrainwise for viticulture. Farewell to the sheep and now this flat dry valley sports vineyards.
This is a perfect area for wine tasting as the wineries are all within easy walk of each other and we spend a great couple of days on this kiwi winery walkabout. Tasting and gourmet winery lunches were the order of the day. Chardonnay and pinot noir do best here. Standouts were the iconic Ata Rangi, Nga Waka and Margrain.
New Years Eve sees us driving to the southernmost point of NZ north island which, geographically, is further south than the south island cities of Blenheim and Picton. Along the southernmost portion of the road the driving becomes adventurous with landslides and sections of road washed away by the sea. Cape Palliser is our destination and we know that we are there when the road ends. Two hundred steps takes us up to the picturesque lighthouse. On the rocky beach below laze sleepy fur seals.
