“After a talk by Hawke’s Bay Tourism about their Hidden gems campaign, - aimed at encouraging visitors to stay that extra night by doing something more here – and an activity, or experience that perhaps they hadn’t thought of before, we thought we could do our bit to encourage visitors to stay one more night” – commented Diana who owns Havelock House in Havelock North.

So many visitors rush through the region, staying only a night or two and we really need to encourage longer staying visitors. People are looking for different experiences – what better than to use what Hawke’s Bay is already famous for its fresh food and fine wines.

Hawke’s Bay local produce from olive oils to olives, cheese and nuts, fresh fruit and vegetables will be featured in Cathie’s original recipes. Guests will go away having learnt how to make simple but sophisticated dishes from scratch with time saving tips from a top chef – Cathie.

Other countries such as Italy and Thailand have been promoting their cookery for years – we have it all here it just takes a small ‘leap of faith to put it in place’

Cathie has the cooking skills – she has been running successful cookery classes in Hawke’s Bay for the past 18 months and is so impressed by the range of fresh food here – “It’s something Hawke’s Bay people don’t always appreciate – in Canada so much of this has been lost – meaning the farmers markets to parking lots!” We have the accommodation adds Diana who opened the Havelock House B&B 3 years ago after they she arrived here from York England with her family.

Guests will stay here and go to Cathie’s for the cooking class followed by dinner paired with local wines. We are hoping to appeal to visitors who want that extra night.

“Visitors love the food and wine here” adds Cathie. “So why not teach them how to use all this fresh produce and when they go home they will impress their friends with the recipes they’ve learnt on the course – and their friends will come to Hawke’s Bay too.”

For more information contact:

Diana Arnold
Havelock House
77 Endsleigh Road
Havelock North
Hawke's Bay 4130
New Zealand
Tel 06 8775439
m. 0211523755
www.havelockhouse.co.nz

or

Cathie Hamilton
Certified Culinary Scientist
Cathie’s Cuisine
06 876 4911
www.cathiescuisine.co.nz

Art Deco Weekend 2012 Tweet2eat recommended cafes

Tweet2eat believes any excuse for a dinner out is a good one and so Valentine's Day is the ideal excuse to dress up stylish and impress your partner. But there's something you've got to know, if you don't already. Some restaurants can end up becoming 'couples-ville' so here's 8 tips of when and where to go to make sure your Valentines Day is special.

Elephant Hill Winery and Restaurant

Read all 8 Hot Valentine Restaurant tips here

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Ryan - 021 557 627

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With the help of Tank's practiced wine branding skills, family-owned vineyard, Petane Station have established a brand and just released their first wine. Elegant and sophisticated, the label exemplifies a quality new world wine whilst retaining an old world air. And with a gold medal to show for it, the wine is as good as the label!

INTERNATIONAL TROPHY AT THE DECANTER WORLD WINE AWARDS!

September 9, 2011, Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand – Elephant Hill’s 2009 Syrah won an international trophy for best Red Rhone Varietal over £10 at the Decanter World Wine Awards.
As one of the wine industry’s most coveted international wine show, all wines were tasted by a judging panel comprising of 214 expert judges and 30 Regional Chairs including 58 Masters of Wine.

“Receiving this trophy is an amazing achievement for our team and it’s great to see our wine and other great New Zealand wines taking their rightful place on the world stage,” said Elephant Hill winemaker Steve Skinner.

A phenomenal 12,254 wines entered from around the world with only 237 wines awarded Gold Medals and 118 Regional Trophies winners.  Only 25 wines were awarded a prestigious International Trophy.
“Another surprise was Elephant Hill’s 2009 Syrah from Hawke’s bay winning the Red Rhone Varietal over £10, proving that this fêted part of the North Island can turn it’s hand to anything,” said DWWA Chairman, Steven Spurrier.

Described as soft, plump and weighty with a juicy but structured palate thanks to supple tannins and plenty of substance and firm, classy, complex, elegant and with lovely harmony overall, the Elephant Hill 2009 Estate Syrah has had an impressive awards season; three trophy wins at the recent Sydney International Wine Competition and a Regional and now an International Trophy at the prestigious Decanter World Wine Awards 2011.

The anticipation is now building for the release of the Elephant Hill 2009 Reserve Syrah and the exclusive Elephant Hill Airavata Syrah.

Elephant Hill is a producer of premium Hawke’s Bay wine.  Located on the Te Awanga coast, the vineyard enjoys a temperate dry climate and extended growing season.  Our grapes are 100% hand picked and we're proudly 100% accredited by the Sustainable Winegrowers of New Zealand.

Elephant Hill 2009 Syrah is now sold out.  The 2010 Syrah is available for purchase from the Cellar Door and online at www.elephanthill.co.nz
For enquiries contact winemaker Steve Skinner, T: + 64 (0)6 873 0400 E: steve@elephanthill.co.nz

For bottle shots and images email mx@elephanthill.co.nz

Decanter World Wine Awards 2011 International Trophy winners: http://www.decanter.com/dwwa/2011/dwwa_search.php?qsearch=aiaw

The “Conga Line”is bringing a festival atmosphere to the Classic New Zealand Wine Trail (CNZWT) during the Rugby World Cup.

The trail is a self-drive route through the leading food and wine regions of Marlborough, Wellington, Wairarapa and Hawke’s Bay.

Tourists and locals are urged to join the Conga Line by signing up via the CNZWT website and getting email alerts in return about enticing deals offered by businesses along the trail.

The deals are posted on the Classic Wine Trail website and Facebook page, and those joining the email list for daily deals go in the draw to win a case of New Zealand wine.

CNZWT marketing manager Lucy Chambers says the Conga Line offers a fun-filled way to see the country, and that festival events taking place along the sign-posted 380km stretch will provide added entertainment.

“It’s a chance for like-minded people from around the world to enjoy a festival atmosphere and argue the merits of their rugby teams while sipping on a world-beating wine,” Mrs Chambers says.

While businesses on the trail are climbing on board with tempting offers, Air New Zealand has already joined the fun by sponsoring 10 campervans – one of which is doing a pre-tournament tour along the trail this week.

The campervans have been blackened and named after All Blacks, and fitted with smart-phones so pics taken on the Conga Line can be uploaded online and displayed to all via social media.

To make things easier for travellers, many participating businesses will display the Classic New Zealand Wine Trail logo, and i-Sites (visitor information centres) will be up to speed with what’s going on in their regions.

Elephant Hill's 2010 Syrah is here.  Hotly following in the footsteps of the sold out success of the 2009 Syrah, the 2010 Syrah has just won a a Gold Medal at the New Zealand International Wine Show.

With beautifully balanced aromas and flavours, it's spicy, smooth, full of promise and destined to be a hit with Syrah lovers.

Staying on red wines, if you love Merlot, you'll love our new Bordeaux blend, 2009 Le Phant.  Missing an "e" but sounding like an exotic elephant, Le Phant is a Hawke's Bay red; a rich blend of Merlot and Cabernet Franc.

Combing the spicy, plum flavours of Merlot with the berries and depth of Cabernet Franc from the great vintage of 2009, Le Phant is already a hit with Anthea at the Cellar Door.

To celebrate the new releases when you shop at our online wine store for one or both wines, we'll pay for your freight.  Shop here and at the check out just add the discount code FREESHIP1009 (offer ends Sept 9).

Share the wine love with your friends and GO NZ!
Elephant Hill, 86 Clifton Road, Te Awanga.  Open 7 days.

What I do know however, is that for me to consider the truth of the statement, I have to experience it myself.  So with that in mind I cajoled my husband into taking me there for dinner last Saturday night.  Thankfully, it didn’t take much persuasion given his credibility was at stake.

Now, before I impart my lay-person’s opinion of the meal, you need to understand my qualifications in this area.  I firmly believe there is a market for a pill, (along the lines of Willy Wonker’s creation) you can take for your meal.  Meaning there is no need to stop, consider and cook a pesky meal.  Eating is overrated.  If only I didn’t get hungry (or bored) I would be the size of New Zealand’s Next Top Model.   With that in mind I nevertheless encourage you to continue reading my comments below.

Frankly, I was not expecting what I got.

The meal, in all its glorious parts, was sublime.   An entrée of Salt and Pepper Squid that melts in your mouth;  a main of Terikihi on crab risotto that is so sweet and delicate that I actually savoured each mouthful.   As for the apple crème brulee -  it can only be described as an OMG moment.

My husband, for his part, was looking suitably smug with each mouthful I took.  His meal equalled that of the best-meal-of-his-life and afterward we were left simply eye-balling each other with that look of “was it as good for you as it was for me”?

Needless to say, he was right.

Go there, soon.