"Ferry", Wine Tasting, Chocolate

We took our Jucy rental from Auckland down to Wellington with a stop in Hamilton. This is a really freaking long drive, like 9 hours, but so much better with friends. We stayed with my friend Colin's friend (and now my friend) Emily in her freaking mansion in Wellington.

We got up terribly early and headed to the "ferry", but the term "ferry" is deceiving. The "ferry" is a five story freaking ocean liner loaded with tractor trailers, cows, sheep, a movie theater, full bar, and really comfortable chairs. I spent my time sleeping naturally. After the ocean liner we drove to the Marlborough region (wine country baby) and hit up Grove Mill Winery where we walked in and got an essentially private wine tasting plus a really awesome explanation of the entire wine process, this was like the three hour 30,000 foot view version of the Viticulture and Enology that I took at Miami University with one of my favorite professors, Jack. What was so solid about taking this class with Jack is that wine education is a global knowledge that is useful to have at moments like in wine country of New Zealand.

After wine tasting we heard about a local chocolatier, so we head off to find Makana Confections. Ace and Cara were freaking out surrounded by fancy chocolate, naturally.
We drove around the area which was surrounded by snow peaked mountains and took in the sites of row after row of vines all changing brilliant colors of yellows and reds.