New Zealand Sabbatical

Last week we went in search of a wine-tasting venue only to come up empty. The first stop was unavailable as they were hosting a wedding. Our second choice had liquidiated though it remained a high match with an internet search. The third was roped off with a “closed” sign and no other explanation. The Red Leaf Winery was the last within driving distance so we followed a google map search to a delapidated farm house on a gravel road with a closed gate. The passing postman assured us this is the place so we opened the gate and drove in to find wandering wild turkeys and a rooster as the picture shows. The nice expat living there said the man behind the winery had moved away some years back and no trace of a vineyard remained.

We figure New Zealand wineries must have gone through a “boom” cycle and now many are “bust” but we will expand our search and venture farther next trip.