We’ve all seen the movie. Was Miles’ soulful devotion to the Pinot of Santa Rita Hills worth the bargain? We finally decided to find out.
Imagine a day like this one: Cooked breakfast in the caravan, with panoramic views of the famed Tongariro volcanoes Ruapehu and Ngauruhoe. A mid-morning hike to get spectacular shots of the local topology and emerald-tinged alpine lakes. A drive to the next wine region on the list – Hawkes Bay, with ever-changing scenery en-route. Lunch at a local winery. Wine tastings at five other wineries, all with outstanding offerings. Check-in at a caravan park on the beach. A late afternoon walk on the beach. A relaxing glass of local wine in the caravan while cooking a gourmet dinner of pan-seared NZ scallops, together with beach-bluff views and sounds of the Pacific. To top it all, freshly sliced local golden kiwis drizzled with Rotorua honey, and a nod off into dreams of what the next day will bring – warmth of the caravan.
We experienced some of the best wines, winemakers, scenery and
outdoor activities anywhere, all in such relative proximity. Caravanning is the
most economical and flexible way to navigate through it, and we truly
appreciated NZ’s popular support for caravan goers, as evidenced by the
plethora of caravan parks and amenities in almost every little town. The
abundance of exceptional wines and extraordinary fresh food (such as NZ meats,
fish, fruits and cheeses) provides a gastronomic delight for the caravan chefs
among us.