From favourite songs to the ideal day in Marlborough. Learn more about our winemaker Anna.

What song do you have on repeat?

I’ve recently got back into vinyl and am rediscovering the joy of listening to whole albums. I’m slowly building up a collection of records starting mostly with old classics from the 70s and 80s so there’s lots of stuff like Cat Stevens, Paul Simon and Joni Mitchell being played at my house at the moment.

ANY PLAN TO TRAVEL?

Without a doubt it would have to be Sri Lanka. I read a travel article back in 2019 (pre-COVID!) that highlighted the amazing beaches, inspiring train journeys, the diverse wildlife, the welcoming culture, and of course the famous tea and I was 100 percent sold on the spot. I have no idea when I’ll get there but the pandemic has at least allowed me a little more time to save up for when the time eventually comes!

What place that you've travelled to would you like to go back to?

I went to South Korea to teach English right after I finished studying. It was quite a culture shock at the time and I’m not sure I really loved it, but over the last few years I’ve really got back into Korean cooking food, and I love making my own kimchi (plus I hate to admit it but one of my guilty pleasures is watching K-pop videos on YouTube!!!!), so I’d be excited to go back and rediscover Seoul. I think the city and culture would have changed a lot since I was last there so it, I guess it will feel both familiar and very different at the same time.

What's your favourite local spot within a 15-minute walk/short drive of your home?

I absolutely love Rarangi Beach on Marlborough’s East Coast. It’s not your typical idyllic white sand sort of beach, it’s very much rough and stony and exposed to the elements. Every Sunday morning without fail I take my dog out there for a long walk to clear my head and reconnect with nature.

What's your favourite local-to-Marlborough or New Zealand snack or food you can't get enough of?

Possibly doesn’t count a snack so much but I get massive cravings for green shelled mussels sourced from the Marlborough Sounds. My favourite way to prepare them is to steam open with a little white wine and stock and then leaving in the half shell grill lightly with a small dollop of herby garlic butter until just melted. It’s absolute perfection with a glass of Kono Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc!

What book, movie or TV show should people check out to get a feel for Marlborough or New Zealand?

I’d highly recommend ‘A Seat at the Table’. This documentary is an outright visual feast that highlights the stories behind New Zealand's world-famous wine industry. It’ll most certainly whet your appetite for Zealand’s stunning scenery as well as our incredible wines.

What's an ideal day for you in Marlborough?

To start with I would grab a pie from the Burleigh Pie Shop in Blenheim before heading out to Picton where I’d pick up a coffee and enjoy them both on the waterfront while watching the sailboats head out towards the Marlborough Sounds. Pies for breakfast might not be the healthiest option so after that I’d head out for a walk along the Snout Track from Picton to Bob’s Bay. You don’t have to go too far along the track to feel like you’re right in the heart of the Marlborough Sounds, and the views are breath-taking.
After heading back into Blenheim I’d swap the car for my bike and venture out to a local cellar door to two to see how the vintages from other wineries are shaping up. Lunch would be on the patio at Harvest which is the restaurant for the Marlborough Lodge. The building is a converted historic Victorian convent with beautiful park-like grounds set amongst the vines and the food is sublime.
Later that evening I’d stop into 5tapped – an eclectic motorbike workshop come bar - for a quick craft beer before heading to catch a gig at The Plant, which is a tempeh factory during the day and small intimate music venue by night (they also do amazing vegan meals pre-show).