Wine O Why! - No!!!!!

A highlight of the summer calendar in the Bay is Harvest Hawke's Bay. This is the annual celebration of Hawke's Bay's great wineries and cuisine. This year a change in venue and format. Rather than bussing punters around the various vineyards the major attraction was a single day out at Roy's Hill Reserve where wineries and food providors could entice us with their best. Pity someone didn't tell the weather gods!!!!

Hawke's Bay has been enduring unseasonal (according to the locals) rain for the past week - although it seems like FOREVER. And so, the day dawned grey, damp and completely dispiriting. But, we had bought our tickets and so we were committed. Besides that, just when we decided we would brave the elements the rain passed and the sun came out. And stayed out for the rest of the day.

If you weren't interested in the latest vintages, quite frankly I don't know why you were there then, there was a stunning view from this redeveloped dump site across the Heretaunga Plains and the very fertile grape growing area known as Gimblett Gravels. You certainly weren't in doubt that Hawke's Bay is a predominant wine area when you saw the vast tracts of grapes encircling the venue.

Like pilgrims we all traipsed up the hillside - blankets, seats, umbrellas and tasting glasses in hand. Clearly the organisers knew that, as the day worn on, locating people and places would be more difficult for many of us and so all the winery tents were in alphabetical order. Phew! The public area was encircled by the winery stands and a Farmers Market operated in one corner of the site - a little out of the way for my liking. Port-a-loos were on hand but a little disproportionately spread out so there was always a queue at the nearest block. Made for lots of toilet humour as the day wore on however.

Music was provided by local and national artists. When we arrived a great local band, The Duke, was hammering out some great cover numbers. WE came across their local supporters who had been there since 9.30am. Wasn't even lunchtime and I doubt those guys would remember whether they ate or not!!!! Nairobi Trio moved throughout the crowd while entertaining and then a group of well known NZ female singers, collectively known as The Lady Killers, took to the stage for the remainder of the afternoon.

Did we taste wine? Well sort of. As the sun came out so did the humidity - and it was HOT. You just had to keep cool and for most of our group that meant a continuous supply of Rose. We did try several wineries but there was always only one lone courier sent for the next "tasting". I did attempt to get around some of the tents but the crowds were pretty consistent and I really only wanted rose anyway. So - a lot of sitting in one spot, crowd watching, music listening and slowly losing the urge to do anything. Great day.

THE BEST.....Hawk's Ridge over Clearview Rose - just by a nose.

THE WORST.....the music. Honestly, talk about late-in-the-day dirges. What happened to rock and roll and stamping your feet. Very disappointing.

I'M LEARNING....actually I'm not learning. I was so glad to have an umbrella to help me walk back down to the car. Can't really remember the trip but apparently I was "crabbing" my way down the hill. At least I didn't fall over. Not that I remember anyway.