Summer Holiday Guide

This summer, whether you’re a Nealon Tasman local or a visitor to this beautiful region, this is the perfect time to explore the food and beverage bounties of the region.

From fish and chips on the beach to internationally acclaimed wines and foods to succulent fresh berries, the region has it all, all you need to do is take some time to leave the beach or holiday home and visit the producers.

I always recommend planning on visiting three or four places in a day as well as having lunch somewhere, just take your time and enjoy the experience at each place. If you are holidaying or living in Golden Bay then it’s easy to do, everything is very close, especially the outstanding craft distillers in the area.

On the eastern side of the Takaka Hill the Motueka and Moutere areas have a huge amount to offer. The Smoking Barrel in Motueka township not only produces amazing meats that have been cared for in the wood-fired smokers for 12 hours or more, but they make some of the best doughnuts you will find anywhere.

One of our favourite places for fish and chips is at the Mapua wharf, food from the Smokehouse and a glass of wine from Rimu Wine Bar is a perfect evening treat.

At this time of the year there are a huge number of orchard stalls selling beautiful fresh fruits, especially berry fruits, apricots and cherries, Just buy what you intend to eat while you’re here and maybe arrange to have a box of cherries or apricots freighted home so you have a reminder of your holiday when you get back.

Two of my favourite breweries are based in Riwaka, Hop Federation and Townshend Brewery. They both have tap rooms in Riwaka and Motueka so you can buy delicious craft beers to take home, the campground or your holiday home. Another craft brewer I love is based Stoke at Wakatu Estate, Eddyline have a taproom taqueria (Mexican style foods) at their brewery so you can have lunch with your beer.

Artisan producers like the Sausage Press make beautiful sausages, salamis and smoked salmon (you’ll also find them at various markets around the region) while Thorvald and Little River produce award winning goats’ milk and A2 cow’s milk cheeses to mention just two of the many producers in the region.

When it comes to wineries you have many choices, just visit www.tastenelsonwines.nz for a list of wineries and opening hours. Places like Gravity at Mahana and Seifried Estate in Appleby have restaurants so are perfect places to stop for lunch, just make sure you book a table at this time of the year.

Many local wineries don’t have a cellar door so look for local wines at your favourite liquor retailer. A couple of standouts for me this year have been the Spencer Hill Rose 2024 that won a Gold and was the Champion Rose 2024 at the National Wine Awards Aotearoa and is a mere $20 on the shelf. If you want a budget but exceptional value Chardonnay, then look no further than the Anchorage Reserve Chardonnay that you will find on promotion for as little at $15.

The Sheild Wines rose made from pinot meuniere grapes has a spicy edge to the flavours making it a wonderful food wine to enjoy over summer.

There are so many other great wines in the region I could fill this column several times over, just buy a local nelson wine and you will be impressed.

Closer to Nelson, in Richmond in fact, there are two reasonably new café venues that serve outstanding food. At Appleby Gardens (opposite Old Factory Corner) you’ll find a big open garden with shady trees and delicious foods, like a charcoal brioche bun beef and cheese burger, dumplings, fried chicken and pork belly as well as other favourite classic dishes.

In Bateup Road is The Craftsman. Located in a building that has an antique shop and pottery gallery they also have a great outdoor area as well as fully covered dining area for those damp days. The food here is quite different to that at Appleby Garden. Think beautiful handmade pasta, succulent cured salmon or a veal sandwich.

Both venues are dog friendly and serve local beers and wines, they also make their own bread fresh each day.

When it comes to evening dining there is huge choice, from ethnic food to woodfired pizzas the region has it all. But if it’s fine dining you want then there is only one choice for me, Hopgood’s & Co at the top of Trafalgar St are one of the very best in New Zealand and simply never disappoint.

While you are in Nelson this summer, local or visiting, there are a couple of very simple rules and ways to plan your enjoyment of everything gastronomic in the region. First and foremost, if you are visiting one of our cafes, bars, breweries or wineries make sure you have a sober driver. I know people get sick of hearing this, but too many people are getting caught out, don’t you be one of them.

The second important thing to remember this summer is that if you want to have a great time and not get off-side with your hosts and other visitors is if you have children with you they are your responsibility. Café, winery and bar owners are not babysitters, a little consideration goes a huge way to enhancing the visitor experience for everyone.

Check out my website for some background on many producers in the region. www.toptastses.co.nz I wish you all a happy New Year, enjoy your summer in Nelson and let’s all go into 2025 in a positive frame of mind.

Published in the Nelson Mail 27.12.2024