raise your glass

Support your friendly Blenheim vineyard workers! Or, you know, the
big guys who are the ones actually making money off our blood, sweat &
tears. Ok, just blood blisters and a little sweat, if it warms up
enough at midday or so. Am I making this sound appealing yet?

Next time you're out, pick up a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc from the
Marlborough region of New Zealand. Try to find the Villa Maria label
if you can – that's the label my vineyard's under. Or Taylors Pass, I
think they makes some wine under that name but I'm not sure where it's
exported to. Villa Maria may be hard to find in the States, but I
know Oyster Bay is there – try that if you can't find mine, about half
the people at the hostel work for Oyster Bay.

Of course, if you really want the good stuff, you'll have to wait 'til
the 2008 vintage is available! If I haven't accidentally killed off
all my vines with my sub-par wrapping skills, that is.

Photo: The 'secret' block of vines at Taylors Pass vineyard