Kaikoura to Blenheim

The road from Kaikoura (in Canterbury) to Blenheim (in Marlborough--wine country) pulled us north Wednesday, first along the Pacific and then inland, the Marlborough Sounds still a way off to the northeast.

Breakfast first: monkfish caught yesterday in Kaikoura, perfectly fresh if imperfectly cooked and yet delicious.

Here's the route (click here if trouble viewing).

Have I mentioned NZ deer farms? Unusual coming from the US, where deer are often considered a pest. NZ's first license to farm deer was issued in 1970 and today the herd numbers close to one million head. Deer exports are valued at NZ $241 million, with 16 tons of venison exported annually,  34% to Germany, 11% to Belgium, 11% to the Netherlands, and 9% to the US. Also exported is deer velvet, the growing antler of the male deer, considered the strongest animal-derived source of yang energy.

Deer velvet is a unique structure, because it is the only organised mammalian tissue that regrows completely, and it does so every year. Moreover it grows extraordinarily rapidly, and the rapid growth is likely to be regulated by pharmacodynamic substances that are either unique or that can be found in other tissues but are at particularly high concentrations in deer velvet. In Asia, the unique nature of deer velvet has no doubt contributed to its reputation as a powerful remedy.

Deer velvet is the growing antler of the male deer. It is removed under a strictly controlled industry programme to ensure the welfare of the stag. It is a wellness tonic primarily used as an immunity booster at the beginning of winter and to tonify the kidney. It is considered the strongest animal derived source of yang energy. - See more at: http://deernz.org.nz/about-deer-industry/deer-industry/beginning#.VdQm1reifrk

The first licence to farm deer in New Zealand was issued in 1970, so the deer industry is a relatively young industry compared to the rest of New Zealand agriculture. New Zealand is the number one source for farm-raised venison worldwide with over 2800 farmers farming approximately 1.1 million deer. - See more at: http://deernz.org.nz/about-deer-industry/nz-deer-industry#.VdQkI7eifrk

The first licence to farm deer in New Zealand was issued in 1970, so the deer industry is a relatively young industry compared to the rest of New Zealand agriculture. New Zealand is the number one source for farm-raised venison worldwide with over 2800 farmers farming approximately 1.1 million deer. - See more at: http://deernz.org.nz/about-deer-industry/nz-deer-industry#.VdQkI7eifrk

Note the bend in the road just where the train tunnel goes through the mountain.

 T'was an overcast and occasionally rainy drive, the colors intensified in the gloom.

Once inland, undulating green hills.

And vineyards, plenty of vineyards.

Here's the Marlborough region. Note we're back in what's called The Top of the South Island, where early spring is evident in the flowering plums (coats in the closet prove the point). Along with the change of seasons, the equator is north and thus it's always warmer here.

Much more on the history of Marlborough wines here...

These days the predominant varieties produced in Marlborough are Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay with small amounts of Riesling and Pinot Gris. However in a remote corner of Fairhall a small vineyard containing Muscat vines celebrates the memory of David Herd’s early vineyard.

The landscape and air feel luxurious. We're excited about exploring it further.