Marlborough Express - Weekend Express
Vineyard paradise
There is little doubt that the very crux of perfection is relative. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder after all.
I was fortunate enough, and indeed privileged, to have a Marlborough landscape experience second to none.
There are always improvements to be made as ‘‘the work is never done’’ but the landscaping at Peter Yealands’ winery is incredible.
The scale of the undertaking is enormous.
The conduct of the enterprise is world class.
But perhaps best of all it is an experience that can only be described as awesome.
This word is over-used and the true meaning is lost on but a few. I was in awe. What Peter Yealands, and of course his talented team, have achieved is phenomenal.
The fact that they produce some of New Zealand’s best wines with a carbon zero rating and an environmental footprint the size of of small insect with no feet is an additional bonus.
Those of you who I have had the pleasure to meet and work for may see me as a humble man who tries to deliver a great result without too much expense.
I was humbled by the vision and the audacity of what really are simple dreams derived from respect for our world, knowledge of our environment and a true understanding of one’s goals.
The result is simply breathtaking.
Admittedly the land itself is incredible, but that is not unique in these parts.
What is unique is the passion and the vision to create such a place. Peter is a Marlburian. He is not a foreign-owned conglomerate.
He cares for his land, his province and his country, and his planet. There are few who can stand shoulder to shoulder with him but there are many who should, at least, try to emulate him. I know I will. Peter did not create the rolling hills, nor the spectacular cliffs that drop from the headlands of the Seaview vineyards.
Nor did he build the hills and the mountains of Awatere valley.
He did not create the grape nor was he the first to plant a vineyard in Marlborough but he has taken all these things and turned them into what is quite simply the best vineyard experience I have been thankful enough to experience. The core beliefs I share. The passion for hard work and fair reward I share.
I have vision and I have scale but I take my hat off to the team that has created the finest vineyard experience in Marlborough.
I do not think you need a written invitation to try the gorgeous wines, nor drive the white road around the vineyards (although it would be remiss of me not to say at this point to nominate a sober driver) and enjoy what they have created.
Sometimes we travel the world only to discover paradise at our doorstep.