Last week I was one of a group of wine writers, buyers and communicators who were invited to attend…

A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of helping judge the Colin Harrison Memorial Trophy for Nelson’s top chardonnay,…

Nelson Tasman Chamber of Commerce Aspire Conference and asked attendees to select the wine they liked the most. Not every winery entered a wine in the competition and the wines entered were from three different vintages (2014,2015 and 2016), however the three wines chosen by the judges were a great representation of the outstanding quality…

As the name suggests Chocolate Velvet is a business that specialises in happiness, glorious cake happiness. Established in 2004 by…

After 50 plus years of spinning spanners, owning a retail shop and brewing beer Dick Tout has decided it is…

Dick Tout, Lighthouse Brewery. Nelson Mail photograph[/caption] Why is he retiring? “The body tells you eventually that you have to start listening to the creaks and groans, and I can assure you the creakiness isn’t through lack of lubrication, but when lifting a 25kg bag feels like lifting 50kgs you know it is time to…

Like many business owners Kevin Hopgood relies on his staff to excel at everything they do and the person leading…

Hopgood’s and Co is head chef Aaron Ballantyne. Head Chef Aaron Ballantyne and Chef Patron Kevin Hopgood of Hopgood’s & Co Restaurant, Trafalgar Street, Nelson Ballantyne has worked at Hopgood’s for almost 11 years and is an important key to the restaurant maintaining a focus on consistently high-quality food, to the…

I have known Emma Heke for many years, I have always been hugely impressed with the way she has approached…