Christchurch Winery Tour

Happy Thanksgiving!


Because of the time zone we are in, we are celebrating Thanksgiving a day ahead of all of our loved ones on the mainland. So, today we plan to go to an adventure through Viator called the Waipara Wine Trail Tour. We were supposed to meet our tour group at noon, but we drove into the city early to explore some of the sites.

After we parked, we walked around a bit and saw many beautiful buildings with cafés and stores, tattoo parlors 
and many stores decorating the streets below. A very eclectic mix of old world and new school


You may not know, but New Zealand suffered a tremendous earthquake in 2010. It destroyed many buildings and they are still in the process of financing the rebuilding of many of their revere old architecture. As we walked around town, there was a very eclectic mix of older buildings and the new ones coming in as apartments and businesses.
We met our group at noon and had a wonderful mix of people. Two gals were from the states, two gals were from Singapore, another gal was from LA, and David and I of course, were from Arizona, but now transplanted to Hawaii! We had a very fun driver, And she was wonderful explaining about the land, the wine and the culture.


Our first winery was Waipara Springs winery

where we got to sample a delicious food plate prepared, especially for us. There were was of variety of delicious treats, including an oyster, fresh fruit, and grapes, a salmon pate, a delicious rib, and I loved thatmany items were locally sourced. Totally not my norm in eating, but I ate everything on my plate being

adventurous and tasty. Go me!

We went to different wineries after that, enjoying of different wines each unique with their own taste. There were a wine barrels and casts and the countryside could not have been more beautifully green filled with vines. 


Waipara Hills winery was so very cute. loved the wall posters. Our trip lasted over four hours and we get to be good friends by the end of it.

Afterwards many of our new friends met up at a place called the Church Bar The beautiful stained glass windows and stone façade were just an incredible nod to old school architecture and new school  innovation. We ordered a pizza and a couple of beers mine dark, David’s light, and enjoyed the beautiful afternoon weather.


It was literally a church in its past life and was now refurbished to have food and drink drinks as well. We sat outside and had a wonderful time continuing our new friendship. 


After we return to our Airbnb, we decided to walk across the street to check out the new Brighton pier. The weather was lovely sunset, beautiful, and it was nice to stretch our legs after a few hours on our tour bus.



Walked back to the house watch another movie and enjoy a glass of New Zealand wine. What a VERY different Thanksgiving day than normal but it was still wonderful.We are so thankful for all of our blessings!


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