After working for one week on Waiheke Island, I think I’m in
love. I just came from Fiordland,
probably the most beautiful place I’ve ever seen, and Waiheke matches it in
grace and beauty but is permeated with a rustic charm that penetrates your soul. It’s like I’m stuck in a perpetual Bob Dillon
song. The Man O’ War Winery has about
110 acres of vines on its 2400 acre property which is about one fifth of
Waiheke island. They own the entire
eastern end of the island which basically feels like I have my own private
island. Every morning, my two
co-workers/roomies and I drive 15 minutes from our barn-like house over unkempt
dusty red roads to the winery with 360 degree views of beaches, hills,
vineyards and sheep. Lots and lots of
sheep. There are approximately 73
beaches on the island, and me and my cronies have the lofty aspiration to swim
in every one of them. We’ll see if that
happens.
The winery itself is also quite rustic, and like everything
else has a thick layer of red dust over everything. Of course I will be cleaning it thoroughly
before harvest starts (which is in about 3 days). The wines are spectacular and certainly show
off that red volcanic dirt minerality which makes them both tasty and
unique.
I really lucked out on this one. Basically, I’m getting paid to be on holiday.
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