Mission Estate Winery, Napier, New Zealand

It’s not often you have the chance to eat and drink at one of the world’s most famous vineyards.

This week, I had the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to do so.

Staying in the town of Napier in New Zealand, the famous Mission Estate was only a few minutes’ drive away. The chance to visit was too good to turn down.

When in Rome, do as the Romans do.

Time to drink some wine!

According to its website, Mission Estate

sources fruit from several sub regions, including its own well managed vineyards in Hawke’s Bay and Marlborough, blending old world artistry with the latest technology to produce an award-winning range of distinctly New Zealand wines.

As New Zealand’s oldest vineyard, it has plenty of history.

In 1838, a number of French Christian missionaries set sail from France with the blessing of the Pope, a few vines and their knowledge of wine making.

Their ‘mission’ was to bring both their craft and their religion to the country of New Zealand, almost as far away across the globe as it is physically possible to travel!

This photo in particular stood out to me for a number of reasons: the technology, the clothing, the child and the fact that all of the individuals were able to be identified:

I'm not by any means an expert on wine, but I do enjoy the odd glass. In the beautiful New Zealand summer heat, surrounded by the views across the estate, it would have been rude not to stop and sample at least one locally made wine.

I opted for the 2018 Mission Estate VS Rosé, rich in both colour and taste. It is made "predominantly from Merlot, this charming rose shows lifted aromas of ripe citrus, apple and strawberry" and I could have easily drank it again and again.

Shown here, my meal: a starter of salt and pepper squid, nashi pear salad, harissa and citrus dressing, cashew nuts and a main of herb-crusted lamb loin, minted pea puree, kumara (sweet potato) fries, celery and orange chutney, and summer greens.

Spoiler alert: it was delicious!

With a wide range of fantastic wine and delicious food, all set to stunning views across the vineyards, it was an experience I will never forget.

If you’re ever in Napier and are looking to treat yourself, a visit to Mission Estate is definitely worth a visit.

Peace

Franck / @goodwithtravels