The freshly baked scones for morning tea on arrival were gratefully received. It was the perfect welcome with guests arriving in the wet, wild and windy weather. Our group on Wednesday enjoyed their delicious burgers for lunch, perfect to devour whilst watching mother nature do her thing. One of the evening meals was concluded with a good old fashioned homemade fejoa and apple crumble, perfect comfort food for a chilly winter night snuggled up in the dining room with the fire going. Bliss!

Like good boy scouts and girl guides we are prepared to host you, no matter what the weather throws at us, so book your next conference, function, strategic planning meeting or social occasion with us and enjoy all the comforts of a home away from home.

Check out our special Mothers Day weekend deal – only one week to go!

Seasoned firewood has been drying throughout the summer and for those couples that would like to rekindle the spark in their relationship the warm glow from the fire will set the ambience.

So before the inclement weather sets in, take this opportunity with your friends and/or golfing buddies and check out our specials page.

We recently announced the above special offer of a two night stay for the price of one (terms and conditions do apply) and it has been snapped up by our clients. One couple took advantage of the beautiful weather last weekend and instead of driving all the way from New Plymouth, they flew up in their helicopter – YES a helicopter and parked it on the lawn. We thought a flight around the local sites would have been on order on Easter Sunday given it was such a stunning day without a cloud in the sky, but they just wanted complete R & R. We recommended a stroll through the vines to Matua Valley Wines for a tasting and possibly some purchases. It was the perfect idea. Not only did they purchase some liquid refreshments but also the ingredients for a delightful picnic that they enjoyed on their sun drenched patio, with a chilled bottle of Sauvignon Blanc.

Wherever you are and whatever you are doing this weekend, we hope you have an enjoyable time.

We are fully booked over the Easter break, I guess that’s what happens when you are a popular retreat. Our guests will be enjoying a mixture of different activities. Some are attending weddings in the local area, another couple are treating themselves to a pamper weekend with indulgent treatments at Spa Divine booked in, and then there are the crazy extreme group that will be challenging themselves at the Woodhill Bike Park and Tree Adventures – they will definitely need a chocolate hit either before or after to get their sugar levels up with all that exercise! Our overseas visitors have a bit of sightseeing planned with a visit to the Gannet Colony at Muriwai Beach, followed by a horse ride on the beach, then some wine tastings at the local vineyards and dining on some of the fresh cuisine from our wide range of local restaurants. I might even suggest that they pop into our funky little clothing store Di Vine clothing. They have a great range of clothes including sample lines, and when you team these with the gorgeous selection of shoes and handbags at the shop a few doors down, you feel like a million dollars. Not quite $26million of them, but we can’t all be that lucky can we.

Enjoy your break, we wish you safe and happy travels and look forward to having you join us at the Vineyard Cottages real soon.

All the cottages and the conference/function centre have been oiled up. We apply a mix of linseed oil and turps to prevent the wood from drying out too much and to help keep it waterproofed. It was a big job, but they look so much better for it.

We have updated the TV’s in all the cottages with new 32” screens in the lounge and moved the smaller ones into the bedrooms, so you can now enjoy entertainment in both rooms. It’s perfect for those of you who enjoy watching Sky movies and/or sport. The telephone system has also been upgraded and there is now a landline in each cottage as well as wireless broadband for your convenience.

These little touches have added a much needed technological update for our guests, one that we hope you will pop out and enjoy very soon.

Looking slightly worse for wear, mud and sand is pretty much a guaranteed accessory after this activity, they returned to home base to enjoy the bbq we catered for them. Chowing down on steaks, chicken and lamb served with fresh bread rolls and salads, they were bursting with stories of their adventure – an awesome time had and this we know because we have done it. In fact their enthusiasm was so contagious that we have organised another group to do it all again today.

This morning we have just finished clearing up after hosting a breakfast for another wedding couple and their guests who stayed last night – It takes a few dozen eggs and a heap of the local butchers home cured bacon to feed 27 hungry guests believe me.

Cheers and a big congrats, once again, to the happy couples who joined us over the weekend.  We look forward to catching up with you next year for your first anniversary.

We have the perfect present for you to give!

Gift a voucher for one nights accommodation for two including a continental style breakfast, in one of our delightful cottages.  A special treat that will be truely appreciated by loved ones, even those that “have everything”.  Perhaps you have a hard working colleague or staff member that has gone the extra mile lately.  Whoever the lucky recipient is they will be treated to a relaxing escape from the stresses of their daily routines.

Want to add something a little extra special to your gift, we are happy to arrange flowers, wine, chocolates or perhaps some spa pampering – whatever your wish, we can arrange it.

So don’t delay – call us with the details of your lucky recipient and we can e-mail or post it today!