With the whole of New Zealand in lockdown, we can all be forgiven for feeling down about missing the people and things that we love. At times like these, keeping focused on the good stuff is so important, like enjoying time with the people in our bubble and indulging in a few special treats.
Entertaining ourselves at home has become a bit of an art form, really. And we Kiwis are pretty creative souls. Can’t have a picnic at the beach? Why not try the garden? Or set up a table on the balcony. With spring just around the corner, there’s even a bit of sunshine to bask in.
Lockdown is also a great time to sit in a quiet spot with a good book — with a plate of nibbles on one side and a glass of wine on the other, of course.
Many Kiwis have discovered that zoom meetings are not just for business. It’s not quite the same raising your glass to the screen — it doesn’t make that satisfying clink — but it can still be a lot of fun.
The act of reaching out and having a laugh and a catch-up is a great tonic, and it really helps to stay connected. You can even add a bit of sparkle to your zoom with a bottle of bubbles. Why not? If we have to be in a bubble, we might as well have bubbles. Surprise treats are just the thing to keep everyone sane at the moment.
Lots of people also get a bit adventurous in the kitchen during lockdown, and now is the perfect time to indulge in a little bit of wine matching. If you’re planning a delicious meal to lift the spirits of the people in your bubble, don’t forget to hop over to our shop page to discover the perfect wine match. As an essential business, we’re still sending wine all around New Zealand. Since you have to be the chef, why not be the maitre de as well?
If you are looking for something special to pour in your exclusive ‘home bistro’ be sure to check out our Estate Reserve Range.
This lovely range is crafted especially for the hospitality industry. Selected from different growers and vineyards the wines are blended from the best barrels to create cleaner, crisper styles.
The only way to experience these wines without visiting your favourite restaurant — which none of us can do right now — is to buy them directly from our website.
Since growing grapes is an essential business, we’ve been very lucky to be able to carry on with most of our activities. Our growers are managing to complete the last of the winter’s jobs, with just a few changes to ensure the safety of their workers, like creating ‘work bubbles.’ In the winery our people are working in staggered shifts to make social distancing possible. They are almost finished bottling the 2021 Pinot Gris, with the Sauvignon Blanc and Rosé already done. So those picnic wines are all ready for summer!
As a family owned and operated business, our hearts really go out to those in the hospitality industry who are doing it tough. We enjoy close relationships with our local cafes and restaurants and it’s heartbreaking to see them all closed up again.
