It’s not surprising that with New Zealand’s adventurous terrain, many of our wineries employ adventurous staff – in fact, I think it might be a prerequisite.  Ata Rangi Owner and Marketing Whizz Phyll Pattie is one such adventure woman who recently managed to combine the thrilling sport of mountain biking with the medicinal benefits of mud… a makeshift spa treatment if you will. As they say, two birds, one stone.

Phyll nil - puddle 1. Glad to see a smile on her face!

On this particular expedition, Phyll was riding her bike charity – namely, finding a cure for Multiple Sclerosis. The Great New Zealand Trek began in 2006 as an annual weeklong event giving anybody and everybody the opportunity to trek the length of New Zealand (or parts of it) on horseback, mountain bike or by walking. These treks raise funds for the Malaghan Institute of Medical Research and since 1996 rides and treks have raised around $250,000 for MS in NZ.

The North Island, split into 8 legs has almost been conquered with Phyll and her fellow trekkers now seven eighth’s of the way through and very much looking forward to stage 8. For more info on how you can participate, see The Great New Zealand Trek website or follow their progress on Facebook.

Here is a detailed video about how The Great New Zealand Trek works… they’ve really thought of everything! (7mins in Phyll’s husband Clive, another Ata Rangi Extraordinaire manages a smile and a wave while grinding uphill on his own bike!)

Nigel Greening of Felton Road, is famed for keeping his picking team well fed during harvest. Drawing from first principles, Nigel is dedicated to sourcing ingredients from his own garden, as well as from local Bannockburn hunter-gatherers and producers. As a result, the hard-working crew is treated to a salmagundi of wild feasts.

Last week, Danny (in the hat below) prepared and spit-roasted a wild boar caught by local landscaper Brett – a keen catcher of land and sea animals alike. (After Brett returned from stalking the bush for dinner, he was set back to work re-landscaping Felton Road’s tasting room area.) In New Zealand a ‘pig-on-a-spit’ typically marks an auspicious occasion. In this case, it was a team dinner to celebrate the end of the first week of picking.

Danny prepares the boar …Nigel helps a bit.

The boar is hoisted onto the spit and left to turn over the coals – check out that crackling!

A veritable feast! Apple sauce anyone?

At the beginning of the week the picking team also enjoyed seafood Paella.

Cloudy Bay Winemaker Sarah Burton tells us a little bit about what to expect from the New Zealand Wine Industry for 2012....