February 11, 2010
Vynfield Villa, Martinborough, NZ
Day 4.

This is my full day in Martinborough. The weather isn't what the chamber of commerce ordered, but it'll do. The temperature is cool and we had rain overnight. Showers are going to be the order of the day and I'll be deciding soon whether or not to get a bike or just rely on the car and/or my feet. Might be the simplest solution.

I'm at peace. This just feels good. I'm sitting on the little patio surrounded by an herb garden, fruit trees (peach and apple) and flowering shrubs. The background noise is mostly the buzz of a couple of bumblebees, a few birds, a distant barking dog and the occasional car going by. I slept pretty well last night, but was awake at about 4.30 and finally got up at about 6. No sense in wasting the day, right? Went into town about 6.30 to see what might be open. The only shop with any life was the one I wanted: the one selling a cup of coffee and a local paper. Got two coffees and came back here. Was intimidated by the coffee maker here, the plunger variety, but have since figured it out and learned that it makes really good coffee. Will get one when I get home, I think.

Dinner last night was at the Martinborough Hotel. Easy and casual. I'm finding I'm not looking for fine dining…there'll be opportunities down the road…and am seeking out comfortable places I can go w/ my Kindle and enjoy myself. The Kindle has produced more conversations than anything. Three so far. People here have never seen them, just heard of them. One told me that they may introduced here this year but she wasn't sure.

I'm struck by how, well, undistinguished the local population looks. There's no striking physical quality about anyone I've seen. Last night in the hotel my fellow diners consisted of a couple of elderly married folks, a young couple physically mismatched…he tall and lanky, she tiny and awkward…and a fairly disreputable looking young man with the kind of beard I don't want.

The wine is terrific, and I'm going to taste more of it today. I've had Vynfield's pinot noir (wonderful) and their signature Mad Rooster, made from an unidentified grape the owners discovered when they took over the vineyard in 1997. They say the variety is found at several other vineyards in the area and may be Villard Noir (called "Mad French Red" here) and is used in many Martinborough red blends. Mad Rooster is 100% this variety and I like it a lot! One of my tasks today is to see about buying and shipping.

In fact, it's time to get a move on! Oh, these are my neighbors: