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This is a fairly decent winery (Washington wines are some of the very best in the country), located on the northern side of the Columbia River. Apart from the opportunity to sample wine in a fantastic setting, this is a truly unique location because of its Stonehenge Memorial, which is a replica (but fully built) of Stonehenge, which serves as a war memorial, as a reminder that as they say: “humanity is still being sacrificed to the god of war.”
Coming from Washington (especially if you are on a wine tour that might include Walla Walla - about which I must write one day) a stop at Maryhill would work as a gateway to the Columbia Gorge on a trip through some very interesting towns, beautiful waterfalls (Multnomah especially), and great bicycle rides), on the way to Portland in Oregon - a fantastic destination in its own right.
The strangeness of the Stonehenge Memorial doesn't really dissipate, even as you enjoy the wine, and if you're lucky a performance in the amphitheatre, or a visit to the attached Art Museum.
If heading on to Portland, try stopping at Hood River (home to Full Sail Brewery and lots of parasailing), or Stevenson - nestled in temperate forest. It's all very beautiful.
www.maryhillmuseum.org/
www.maryhillwinery.com/
Maryhill Winery, 877 Maryhill, 9774 Highway 14 Goldendale, WA.
+1 877 627 9445
Google map: bit.ly/uNTjdj
This is a fairly decent winery (Washington wines are some of the very best in the country), located on the northern side of the Columbia River. Apart from the opportunity to sample wine in a fantastic setting, this is a truly unique location because of its Stonehenge Memorial, which is a replica (but fully built) of Stonehenge, which serves as a war memorial, as a reminder that as they say: “humanity is still being sacrificed to the god of war.”
Coming from Washington (especially if you are on a wine tour that might include Walla Walla - about which I must write one day) a stop at Maryhill would work as a gateway to the Columbia Gorge on a trip through some very interesting towns, beautiful waterfalls (Multnomah especially), and great bicycle rides), on the way to Portland in Oregon - a fantastic destination in its own right.
The strangeness of the Stonehenge Memorial doesn't really dissipate, even as you enjoy the wine, and if you're lucky a performance in the amphitheatre, or a visit to the attached Art Museum.
If heading on to Portland, try stopping at Hood River (home to Full Sail Brewery and lots of parasailing), or Stevenson - nestled in temperate forest. It's all very beautiful.
www.maryhillwinery.com/
9774 Highway 14, Goldendale, WA
+1 877 627 9445
Museum & Stonehenge: www.maryhillmuseum.org/
You'll need to drive most likely, so make sure you have a designated driver.
Google map: bit.ly/tT054S
1) Wait till the lake in the park Varosliget freezes over and becomes Europe’s largest ice-skating rink. It is located at the edge of the City Park, enclosed between Heroes’ Square and Vajdahunyad Castle.
2) Hire a car and drive to Eger, for its history and wine making region and Debrecen for it's beautiful buildings and restaurants.
3) Towns around the Balaton, such as Heviz, have natural thermal outdoor baths. Well worth a visit.
Google map: bit.ly/f1kV0K
There are some great cafes for seriously good coffee in Napier, better in my opinion than the much hyped and overpriced Auckland and Wellington. Too many to mention but Tannyson and Emmerson streets have many examples. Hawkes Bay is best known as a wine destination and there are also some great foods such as local Te Mata Cheeses, Esk Valley Asparagus, farmed abalone, peach and apple orchards - the list goes on. The Farmers Market - saturday at Blackbarn vineyard and sunday at Hastings - are good places to start.
I stayed just out of Napier in the vineyard region of Esk Valley. Great meal on friday night at nearby Crab Farm winery. Very laid back atmosphere with a monstrous log fire, later the guitars came out! And the food was outstanding.
Esk Valley lodge 15 mins north of Napier just past the airport www.eskvalleylodge.co.nz
Map tinyurl.com/eskvalley
www.crabfarmwinery.co.nz/catalog/
Food Hawkes bay guide www.foodhawkesbay.co.nz/index.cfm/our_activities/food_trail
Anyone contemplating a trip to a French wine producer will be able to identify independent producers who operate under the umbrella of "Vignerons Independant",
I have visited a few of the many producers around Beaujolais, they are fiercely independent and are rightly proud of their wines. They may not speak much English and their wine will not necessarily be cheap, but it will be different from the standard wines produced by the negociants and the experience is worth it.
Bear in mind that the producers are understandably keen to sell and your reception will depend on your perceived willingness to buy.
Also consider when you buy, if you buy in summer on the way out your wine is likely to suffer from prolonged exposure to heat.
Some villages run annual Foire aux Vins, if you happen to find yourself in the vicinity of one it should be worth a visit, it is a long time since I visited Vouvray but I have very happy memories of the Foire which is held over a week-end every August, enquire at the local tourism office or perhaps the Guardian could produce a definitive calendar. I would be happy to assist with any research on the ground!
www.vigneron-independant.com/tourismeetvins/?langue=fr
Google map: tinyurl.com/37ugpng
A charming four-star hotel on the R44 in the Stellenbosch Winelands. We were impressed with the quaint Oregon style. The swimming pool has a magnificent view on the Stellenbosch Mountains. The service was good old fashioned hospitality and the food was great home cooking. Definately a home from Home experience.
25 Canterbury Lane, Blaauwklippen Village, Stellenbosch.
www.stblodge.co.za
+2721 8880100
Google map: tinyurl.com/y9yrlzw
Situated off the national road within easy driving distance of Cape Town in Somerset West, is Vergelegen Wine Estate.
Picnic among some of the Cape's oldest camphor and yellowwood trees in the extensive grounds that showcase South Africa's chequered history and Cape Dutch architecture. Experience the sensory beauty of the cultivated rose and herb gardens, the original Van der Stel Winery, the Library, mill, ruins and Slave Lodge as well as authentic Pigeon House.
Breakfast al fresco at The Rose Terrace Bistro, open November to April or sample the fish, meat and vegetarian dishes which are served in the Lady Phillips restaurant together with a selection of premium Vergelegen wines including Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz varieties. Cellar tours are also offered.
Combined with good weather an outing to Vergelegen is well worth its R10 entrance fee. As it is very popular, booking is advised. It is a thoroughly enjoyable experience and well worth a visit especially if heading from Cape Town to Hermanus to enjoy some whale watching.
Web: www.vergelegen.co.za
Phone : +27 21 847 1334
Address: Lourensford Road, Somerset West, South Africa
It's easy to miss this winery - as soon as you've turned off the R44 heading west, look out for the Forrester sign immediately on your left. Don't expect to see the swanky entrances of the Grandes Dames of the SA wine industry like Vergelegen or Groot Constantia, Ken's driveway looks more like the entrance to a private residence. As you head up to the winery, watch out for Ken's snail police - a flock of rather noisy geese. The emphasis here is not on presentation but on attention to detail in the winemaking process. KF has done more for the humble Chenin Blanc grape than an american soft drinks company has done for brown sugary water. Try the simply stunning 'FMC' (officially Forrester Meinert Chenin, unofficially f****** marvellous chenin) to taste what can be done with the grape that the french use to produce a liquid to clean their tractors with. Equally stunning is the red blend, 'Gypsy', produced from grenache, syrah, and mourvedre grapes. There are lower-priced, everyday-drinking wines too, with most available in the UK from Great Western Wine of Bath. Ken, you're the man!
Ken Forrester Vineyards, Winery Road, Stellenbosch, South Africa
Tel: +27 21 855 2374
www.kenforresterwines.com/
Google map: tinyurl.com/ye7raxq
Most people wanting a meal out in South Africa's winelands head to the tourist hotspots of Franschoek and Stellenbosch. But travel a little further down the N1, via the stunning Du Toitskloof Pass (worth a trip in its own right), and you will find this fantastic little place. The Bistro is upstairs, and spills out onto a balcony looking straight over the Slanghoek mountains and the vineyards on the valley floor. There is a wonderful sense of space, and of escaping the crowds on the Cape Town side of the mountains.
The food is wonderful (sandwiches etc or full meals, all beautifully prepared), the service always friendly and attentive, and the wines (by winemaker Ivy Du Toit) are a treat. (You can buy bottles at a fraction of the price of Franschoek vineyards). I can recommend the sparkling Rose!
This was our favourite place when we lived in and travelled around SA - for good food in peaceful, beautiful surroundings, you can't beat it.
Contact: 0027 82 265 4492
Email: bistro@jasonshill.co.za
www.jasonshill.co.za
P.O.BOX 14, RAWSONVILLE 6845 SOUTH AFRICA
Google map: tinyurl.com/ya29gn8
Cute 'boutique' winery in the Adelaide Hills. Not like some of the massive wineries that abound in South Australia - lovely vino and restaurant serving sunday lunches. I will be back.
www.hahndorfhillwinery.com.au/
Google map: tinyurl.com/lmg88c
Four leading wineries in Macedonia, where you can sample quality wines
The first two are found in Kavadarci, the latter in Negotino. The latter town is on the Skopje-Gevgelija train line, the latter not too far away by road.
Out of town (an hour, maybe two) near the Napa Valley. Fantastic, friendly micro-brewery, really good restaurant plus reasonably priced and comfortable hotel.
1250 Lincoln Ave, Calistoga, CA 94515;
tel: (707) 942 4101; fax: (707) 942 4914; email: Info@CalistogaInn.com;
www.calistogainn.com
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