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Awesome Afternoon at Rippon - New Zealand Wine Tasting

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What a Great Afternoon of New Zealand Wine Tasting!

Our unplanned afternoon of New Zealand wine tasting at Rippon Vineyard was relaxing, interesting and delicious. We started out for a family hike along the shores of beautiful Lake Wanaka, New Zealand with a picnic and no particular destination. As we passed Rippon Vineyard we noticed the inviting sign suggesting a New Zealand wine tasting at their picnic tables. Flavorful organic cheese trays were available, and we were welcome to bring our own food. This New Zealand wine tasting opportunity seemed the perfect compliment to our picnic.

The views from Rippon were spectacular. And the weather was an unusually warm New Zealand winter afternoon. The sky was clear and Lake Wanaka was calm. I present you here with a photographic tour our afternoon at Rippon enjoying a New Zealand wine tasting.

all photos property of Albom Design, copyrighted and protected 2009

Contents at a Glance

Where is Rippon Vineyards?
We Sampled 8 Rippon Varieties in this Or...
Which Variety is Generally Your Favourit...
No wine for Melissa, She is just holding...
As her parent, I could let her drink. C...
What Do You Think About Kids Sampling Wi...

Lake Wanaka as Seen From Rippon Vineyard print

Click here for General or Purchase Information on Lake Wanaka as Seen From Rippon Vineyard
copyright 2009 Rhonda Albom

Sarah Climbs a Tree in the Lake on the Way to Rippon Vineyard

The Obelisk at the Entrance To Rippon Vineyards

Reising Grape Vines (shot taken in winter)

Where is Rippon Vineyards?

South Island New Zealand Wine Tasting

Rippon Vineyards is locate at the shore of Lake Wanaka, in the Central Otago District of the South Island of New Zealand. Hiking trails surround the region which is situated about the 45° south latitude line (half way between the equator and the South Pole). Rippon is growing a variety of grapes on 15 hectares of land, with the majority of grapes being Pinot Noir and Riesling.

According to our host, the secret to their wines' great flavors is the decomposing schist rock in the soil, along with the water from nearby glaciers and Lake Wanaka.

Melissa Found Two Different Corks

We Sampled 8 Rippon Varieties in this Order

Hotere White Wine
Sauvignon Blanc
Gamay Rose
Jeunesse Pinot Noir
Pinot Noir
Jeunesse Riesling
Riesling
Gewurztraminer

Which Variety is Generally Your Favourite?

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No wine for Melissa, She is just holding the glass to be funny.

As her parent, I could let her drink. Click here for more Laughable Liquor Laws

What Do You Think About Kids Sampling Wine?

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A Few Photos Taken by Sarah (age 9)

While Jeff and I relaxed, the girls took lots of photos. These next five photos were taken by Sarah

We Enjoyed a Delicious Whitestone Organic Cheese Platter with Our New Zealand Wine Tasting

Inside the Building at Rippon

Our Picnic Table

Some of the Wines

The View of Lake Wanaka from our Table at Rippon

After a Great Wine Tasting Like This One, You May Need Somewhere To Put All Your New Bottles!

Wine racks come in so many different sizes and shapes. Here are a few to chose from or Click here to see a selection of wine racks

Rippon Vineyard's

Melissa Took Some Photos Too (age 11)

The camera passed to Melissa for a bit and she took the next four photos.

The Girls Really Enjoyed Diva, this Little Dog

The Little Rippon Building with the Wines for the Tasting

Rippon Uses Sustanable Practices and Organic Growing

A Tractor Preparing the Fields

How About a New Zealand T-Shirt - I Made This When I Created The Poster

There is also bags, hat, coffee mugs, sweatshirts, and other novelties

Click here for general or purchase information on this shirt
copyright Rhonda Albom 2009
Click here to see this design on other products

Or, Make Your Own Custom T-shirt

Need Any Accessories?

So much to choose from, here are my favourites. Click here to see a variety of wine accessories

Rippon Vineyard and Winery 2009 Video

Nicholas Sargood explained why Wanaka is different from other sub-regions of Central Otago.

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Wednesday_Elf Jan 21, 2010 @ 10:23 am | delete

What an absolutely beautiful setting for this winery. The view from the picnic table is outstanding. Your photographs are wonderful -- and also those taken by your girls. A lovely photographic tour of an interesting winery.

I've visited a few wineries over the years and my brother makes his own wine as a hobby. He has become so good, his wines won a Blue Ribbon at the NY State Fair 3 times. A delightful lens.

Reply

KimGiancaterino Oct 17, 2009 @ 3:04 pm | delete

A day doesn't get more perfect than this. Thanks for sharing such a beautiful place. Rippon Vineyards in New Zealand has been blogged on L.A. Wineaux.

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OhMe Sep 14, 2009 @ 8:09 am | delete

Sounds like a great trip and you sure got some super photos.

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stargazer00 Sep 10, 2009 @ 1:30 pm | delete

I do not like wine but the organic cheeses look wonderful! It does look like the perfect place for a picnic.

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missbat Sep 8, 2009 @ 6:12 pm | delete

My cousins are big into wine and would certainly love to tour Rippon Vineyards, if they ever get to New Zealand! Great job!

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puzzlemaker Aug 22, 2009 @ 11:59 am | delete

Seeing the breathtaking view in the background of your photos, I'm wondering if one ever gets used to such a view. I really enjoyed reading this. Seems like the spontaneous trips are usually the best. Looks like such a wonderful place to visit and Diva looks like a hoot. My daughter would have found the most interest in the dog as well.

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LoKackl Aug 22, 2009 @ 8:53 am | delete

Fun and entertaining! I love your photos!

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Michey Aug 21, 2009 @ 9:33 am | delete

This lens brings back a lot of memories. My husband and I traveled to the vineries of Sonoma Valley, Santa Barbara, and Paso Robles Vineries in California.
And by the way, John enjoyed NZ Riesling and my favorite is NZ Sauvignon Blank - but I also like Australian Shiraz. As you can see we are not that far away.
What impresses me is the beauty of the place of this winery.
fav 5*, lensroll
Great lens I enjoy immensely
Michey