prairie girl musings

Tag: wine

Sip, sip, hooray!

Well, hello friends! It’s been awhile since we last caught up, so pull up a chair.

Life has picked up a bit since my last post, I’ve been taking on some new consulting and digital marketing projects (more on that later…) Plus, there’s been HEAPS of new openings to write about in Christchurch. Riverside Market is officially up and running and The Welder isn’t far behind… With summer on our doorstep, it’s an exciting time to be in the city.

Another local event I’m looking forward to is Taste North Canterbury next Thursday. If you’ve been following along for awhile, you’ll know how much I love Waipara. North Canterbury wines are my absolute favourite and I even hosted an event with Greystone a few months ago.

While I’ve never been to Taste North Canterbury, last year looked like a ball. This year’s event is taking place at Christchurch Town Hall in the Limes Room, so you know it’s going to be gorgeous. There will be more than twenty local wineries in attendance, so you can sample everything and figure which ones are your favourites. I’m also looking forward to the food from artisan producers and tunes by North Canterbury DJs.

Tickets are almost sold out, which is wild because it’s still a week away. If you’re based in Christchurch and thinking about coming along, I’d get on that here. Your ticket price includes unlimited wine tastings (yay!) and bottomless snacks, which is such a rarity at these types of events!

In anticipation, Nancy and I ventured to NWY (Not Without You) a wine bar that serves all the best local wine and food (they even have perogies!) It’s a lovely spot to catch up over wine (we had Black Estate’s pinot noir) and the most beautiful platters. You get to choose your own cheeses, but they’re on hand to make suggestions. It’s always a treat to see businesses supporting local and serving up wineries from just up the road.

What’s your favourite drop? Are you a lover of Black Estate pinot noir as well?

Photos by Nancy Zhou

October 16, 2019
Food, Wine & Life Online

On Saturday afternoon, I had the pleasure of hosting 21 guests at the first in what will hopefully be a regular lunch and dinner series. Food, Wine & Life Online was a chance to bring people together for a beautiful meal and conversation.

The group consisted of small business owners, photographers, chefs, freelancers, designers, nurses, social workers, entrepreneurs, academics, and artists. In attendance was a woman who had only moved to Christchurch four months ago and others who’ve lived in Christchurch for most of their lives. We spent a few hours together, enjoying four vegan courses prepared by Flip and Yousef at Grater Goods paired with Greystone wines. The event was intimate and informative yet informal, the perfect size to get to speak to everyone and learn a bit more about who they are.

I spoke a little bit about my experience moving to Christchurch four years ago, building a creative community, and why I think these types of gatherings are so important. Alissa talked us through the wines, winemaking process at Greystone, and how their wines are 100% certified organic and vegan (unlike many NZ wines that contain animal byproducts…) Flip spoke about her journey becoming a vegan and why she creates food that challenges our preconceived notions about plant-based food. You need to try their salmon lox bagel (which is actually carrot, not salmon) and KFT (tofu that could pass for the real thing!)

If you want to read more about what inspired me to hold this event, I’ve written about it here. Otherwise, have a look through the photos taken by my dear friend, Nancy Zhou and leave me a comment if you’re interested in coming along to the next one. We’re looking at having it amongst the olive groves at the Greystone vineyard.

A big thank you to everyone who came along and supported this idea, to Nancy for taking these photos and Grater Goods and Greystone for providing the food and wine. I am immensely grateful for your love and support.

September 1, 2019