Coopers Creek Vinyard

Wine cupboard empty, I headed for Coopers Creek Winery in Kumeu. Used to be an old haunt when I lived out that way and they make some delectable wines. My fave at the moment is The Limeworks chardonnay. Sadly my local wineshops are out of the 2013 vintage and awaiting the 2014 one so a Saturday afternoon drive out west beckoned. Parking is plentiful with a pretty backdrop of happy vines heavy with big bunches of grapes. On entering the wine cellar/​shop, I was greeted by a large German shepherd with a stick in its mouth. Probably not a good idea to chuck it around for him, in spite of big, brown, pleading eyes, given the bottles and tasting glasses. I tried a couple of wines — their new rose among them — but The Limeworks won out. Cosy, woody room with knowledgable folk behind the counter only too happy to advise and pour tastings for everyone. And after checking me out on their database, I even was still able to get a good discount even though I hadn’t been there for years. Well done, Coopers Creek. I’ll be back — with friends in tow for their Sunday jazz and pizza among the vines.