Thursday, May 26th, 2011
Wined !!
The first of the WINTER RED series got off to a great start at Hawkshead Lodge in Wanaka on Wednesday night May 25th.
Rosa started off the evening with a glass of SYN – sparkling Shiraz- from Coonawarra in Australia ( home of Penfolds Grange)
I introduced Rioja, Montepulciano, Vins de Languedoc; Chateau Paul Mas up against D’arenburgs The Stump Jump ( Grenache Shiraz Mouvedre Blend), Bordeaux ( entre-deux-mers) up again Martinborough’s Te kairanga Runholder; Merlot Cab Franc blend, along with a wonderful range of Gibbston chedddar and Whitestone Brie and Blue cheeses
14 people gathered to hear about the various regions and discuss the differences between 6 very different wines and after learning how to swirl sniff sip and swallow we discussed the various merits of the wines, and also the group started to recognise the diferent smells of the varietals displayed.
All in all a great time was had by all and we look forward to the next one in our winter series.
Rosa Stackhouse – Miller – Wine Educator
Wine Appreciation, Enlightenment & Wine Tours – Central Otago
Thursday, May 19th, 2011
Thank you – Thank you….
It is always lovely to know you have contributed in such a way you can be proud of !!
”Dearest Bridget”,
We are just wanting to let you know how much we appreciate all the work you put into your beautiful gardens to make our wedding day the most amazing day we could ever have imagined. The stage you set for us was just perfect from the carpet of leaves for the isle to the stunning drinks table and not to mention the amazing view and everything in between! We hope you enjoyed being apart of our day as much as we enjoyed having you part of it. We can not thank you enough for all your hard work in keeping the grounds so perfect then allowing us to drive over it with our big fat V8 wedding cars. They certainly completed the picture for us and we are truly thankful. Our guests loved the setting and the bridal entrance we keep reliving over and over with Grandad leading his granddaughter down the zig zag garden path and through the tussocks. It was everything we had dreamed of. Lucky for us on the day we had a magnificent Autumns day the sunshine and amazing clouds which made the Autumn colours shine. We could not have asked for anything better and would not change a thing!! Thank You Thank You Thank You!! Big Hugs Lana & Reece Cameron! xx
Monday, May 2nd, 2011
A Beautiful Autumn Wedding
There is no reason why we can’t marry once the leaves fall, the days are clear and when the evenings are crisp.
An Autumn Wedding took place in the gardens of Hawkshead on Easter Saturday, both local Wanaka families – with there loved ones and friends.
A warm sunny day, a carpet of autumn leaves, candelabra’s and hand picked vibrant autumn leaves used as confetti.
The Autumnal feel carried through with champayne and photography on the lawn of the lodge after the ceremony with the outdoor lounge boasting an open fireplace.
Congratulations to Lana and Reece – thankyou for choosing Hawkshead for your Wedding Venue.
Monday, May 2nd, 2011
Purebred Labradors – Puppies for Life
HAWKSHEAD LABRADORS – Registered Purebred Labrador Breeder, Lake Wanaka, Central Otago, South Island, New Zealand.
Current Litter born Monday 4 April 2011, Homing last week of May 2011
Trade Me Listing – Hawkshead Labradors – 369318935
7 Black Dogs ( 5 sold )
4 Black Bitches ( 2 sold )
2 Chocolate Bitches ( 2 sold )
Bloodline – Flagstaff, Lymington, Sarasota, Kahilani, Amvikal, Follytower
Puppies raised on a 2 acre property with a ‘free range’ lifestyle, thus enabling them to be ‘dogs’, to explore and encounter different textures, smells and surfaces from 4-8 weeks.
Breeder:
- Bridget Jones
Bitches:
- Sasha “Taprue Black Velvet”
- Rea “Hawkshead Velvet Sash”
Sire :
- Rocky ”Flagstaff Black Bear”
Member NZ Kennel Association 098324
- Member Canterbury Labrador Association
- Hip/Elbow Scoring and Certificates – Breeding Bitches and Sire
- Eye Certification – Breeding Bitches and Sire
- Registration Papers and Ancestry
- Worming 2 weeks from birth
- Vaccinatons at 6 weeks
- Raised in kennels from 4 weeks
- Socialised and disciplined from 4 weeks
- Hunting and family pet backgrounds
- Breeding twice a year
- Dominant black breeding with yellow and chocolate lines
The kennel is mainly for sleeping at night and often during the day the puppies are with their mum under a tree somewhere!
Hawkshead Labradors are renowned for their personality, their temperament and all round good nature to adapt to any given environment.
Breeder notifes all interested parties at whelping and a deposit of $200 is required to secure their puppy.
Selection process is in the order of deposit payment and puppies are available for viewing from 4 weeks.
Homing at 8 weeks with 1 month supply of worming tablets.
Micro-chipping is owners’ responsibility and a 3 month veterinary appointment and vaccination is strongly recommended.
Enquiries are most welcome and for further details please do not hesitate to contact Bridget on (03) 4436183 or Mobile: 021921561
Friday, March 11th, 2011
Say It With Music
The music chosen for your wedding should reflect the style of your celebration by setting the atmosphere and mood.
If your wedding is being held in a church, many couples know from their attendance at other wedding ceremonies the music they would like played. This is particularly so for The Processional, when the bride walks down the aisle at the beginning of the service and The Recessional, when the newlyweds and their attendants leave the church. The melodies selected for the prelude when guests are arriving are also important in setting the tone for the ceremony.
But there are also those who think way outside the square with some very refreshing results!
Live music performances are often part of wedding ceremonies. Many couples are not choosing traditional music but instead pieces that are significant to them. For instance, a piper will often come into their own when they “pipe” the couple and their attendants into their reception.
The choice of back ground music for the reception depends on the style of music the couple enjoy. If they love classical music they may consider a string quartet, or if they are romantics, a harpist or flautist. For contemporary music buffs a pianist, guitarist, a duo or jazz combo would be ideal.
Some couples make compilation CD’s of their favourite songs and tunes for both the reception and dancing and inspiration can be found in various websites featuring wedding music. Professional DJ’s are also popular for dancing.
Above all else, the couple should choose music that will forever remind them of their special day.
Central Otago – Wanaka Piper – Ian Ross
Friday, March 11th, 2011
The Wedding Planner
Time is precious to us all and with the average wedding taking more than 200 hours to plan, the services of a wedding planner who will take care of that all important “timing”, becomes abundantly clear….be it looking after all the arrangements down to the finest detail, or simply assisting you with just one or two aspects of your special day.
A good wedding planner has the ability to take all the “what ifs” out of your wedding day….they take away the worries. They will ensure the photographer is right for those lasting images, that the florist, the venue and the caterer are in tune with your individual style and most importantly, all fall within your budget! Contrary to popular belief, a wedding planner is not a luxury only for the wealthy, but is also accessible to those on a small budget.
They are creative, will suggest new ideas and work closely with every client to ensure individual requirements and personal tastes are fulfilled.
Your wedding day has often been dreamt about for a long time and the most important role of a good wedding planner is to ensure that your wedding reflects the values, wishes and beliefs of the bride, the bridegroom and their respective families.
Central Otago Wedding Planners:
- Touch of Spice
- Mint Events
Tuesday, February 8th, 2011
Marriage Vows
THE IMPORTANCE OF CHOOSING YOUR MARRIAGE CELEBRANT.
When you choose your Marriage Celebrant you are choosing someone who will be directing and steering the very heart of your wedding ceremony.
It is important that you and your celebrant have the same beliefs and ideals and that you make a connection with him/her on a personal level.
Your celebrant can be instrumental in providing invaluable assistance to ensure your ceremony is everything you desire. Remember this is your very special day and your ceremony will set the benchmark for the rest of the celebrations.
The celebrant will ensure your ceremony flows smoothly, meets all legal requirements and reflects the very unique relationship of the bride and groom.
Book your Celebrant as soon as you have a confirmed wedding date.
Most celebrants take bookings up to 12 months to 2 years in advance.
A good celebrant will suggest a rehearsal to help you, your wedding party and your parents feel comfortable and relaxed. He/she will also provide you will sample material i.e. ceremonies, vows, poetry etc. If there is one way to make your ceremony truly yours, it’s the act of writing your personal wedding vows. Personalising your vows allow you to express yourselves as individuals and as partners.
The celebrant should be a good listener and be prepared to provide testimonials from previous ceremonies, assist you with the documentation and be available to answer all your questions. Ask if the celebrant can supply a signing table, microphones, floral displays and other ceremony enhancement packages.
I believe that every couple and every wedding is unique.
Whether your ceremony is a small informal affair or a large traditional celebration I provide all couples with the same level of commitment and professionalism to ensure the romance and wedding traditions are not compromised.
Flexibility and a sense of humour are two very important attributes to assist a couple to de-stress, relax and treasure the experience of their wedding day.
It is my job to make sure that happens…
The bottom line is – It is your day. Happy Planning.
By Jools MacKnight, Registered Marriage Celebrant.
www.wanaka-weddings.co.nz jools.marryme@paradise.net.nz
Tuesday, February 8th, 2011
Cellar Door
NORTHBURN
Central Otago is fast becoming a mecca for connoisseurs of New Zealand’s best food and wine.
We have extraordinary people working in Central Otago and such exciting produce – from grapes, stone fruit, saffron and honey through to merino lamb, venison and rabbit, the region certainly has all the ingredients to appeal to both locals and international visitors alike!
Northburn Station has opened a new chapter in its colourful history with the launch of a contemporary cellar door and function centre focusing on the property’s personal wine label.
Northburn was originally settled in the 1850’s and developed by 3 previous owners before being purchased in 1993 by the Pinckney family. Tom and Jan Pinckney still farm 10,000 merino sheep and 120 cattle on the station however their diversification into grape growing just over a decade ago reflects a new direction for the property.
A variety of grapes are grown on the 23ha vineyard overlooking Lake Dunstan. The first wine released by the station was the 2001 Pinot Noir and more varieties have been added to the portfolio over the past 8 years. Northburn Station Pinot Gris, Reisling, Rose and Pinot Noir are all available for tasting at the cellar door and function centre.
The Shed – inspired by the Northburn Station homestead and original woolshed – is a hayloft and stable building featuring Central Otago stonework on the exterior and corrugated iron from the woolshed.
Northburn produces approximately 2000 bottles of wine a year and the cellar door provides the ideal backdrop for hosted wine tastings based on a wine and food match providing a tasty food morsel to help the palate appreciate the wine.
Northburn is the first cellar door operation in this region to provide a truly quality Central Otago experience for visitors from all over the world.
The Shed
Northburn Station
Cromwell Road, Tarras
03 4451743
Wednesday, January 12th, 2011
Puppies for Life – Litter Available
HAWKSHEAD LABRADORS – Registered Purebred Labrador Breeder, Lake Wanaka, Central Otago, South Island, New Zealand.
Current Litter born Monday 4 April 2011, Homing last week of May 2011
Trade Me Listing – Hawkshead Labradors – 369318935
7 Black Dogs ( 3 sold )
4 Black Bitches ( 1 sold )
2 Chocolate Bitches ( 2 sold )
Puppies raised on a 2 acre property with a ‘free range’ lifestyle, thus enabling them to be ‘dogs’, to explore and encounter different textures, smells and surfaces from 4-8 weeks.
Breeder:
- Bridget Jones
Bitches:
- Sasha “Taprue Black Velvet”
- Rea “Hawkshead Velvet Sash”
Sire :
- Rocky ”Flagstaff Black Bear”
Member NZ Kennel Association 098324
- Member Canterbury Labrador Association
- Hip/Elbow Scoring and Certificates – Breeding Bitches and Stud
- Eye Certification – Breeding Bitches and Stud
- Registration Papers and Ancestry
- Worming 2 weeks from birth
- Vaccinatons at 6 weeks
- Raised in kennels from 4 weeks
- Socialised and disciplined from 4 weeks
- Hunting and family pet backgrounds
- Breeding twice a year
- Dominant black breeding with yellow and chocolate lines
The kennel is mainly for sleeping at night and often during the day the puppies are with their mum under a tree somewhere!
Hawkshead Labradors are renowned for their personality, their temperament and all round good nature to adapt to any given environment.
Breeder notifes all interested parties at whelping and a deposit of $200 is required to secure their puppy.
Selection process is in the order of deposit payment and puppies are available for viewing from 4 weeks.
Homing at 8 weeks with 1 month supply of worming tablets.
Micro-chipping is owners’ responsibility and a 3 month veterinary appointment and vaccination is strongly recommended.
Enquiries are most welcome and for further details please do not hesitate to contact Bridget on (03) 4436183 or Mobile: 021921561
Wednesday, January 12th, 2011
Your Wedding Day is all about Right Timing
So you’ve decided where to get married, the dress you will wear, who your guests will be, but have you decided WHEN to have your wedding??
You may not want a long engagement but careful consideration needs to be given to the right timing of your special day.
Should your plans be for an outdoor wedding, then without question, your day needs to be during the finer months…..but even so, there’s still no guarantee the sun will shine on your special day and it’s always sheer luck picking a date to have good weather whatever the season!
And because you want everything to be absolutely right for your special day, it’s very important that the special people you want are with you! So before setting your date, make sure you check with those special to you to ensure they are available…..then work around their commitments and your own.
You may find you have a number of friends who are also planning their own wedding. So when an invitation arrives for the week scheduled after your wedding (while you’re on honeymoon!) you don’t want to be disappointed that you can’t be with them. This dilemma is often the case with a number of couples who are invited to several weddings in the space of a few months of their own!
So if you have friends planning their marriage, take this into consideration when choosing your date and a friendly chat about your dates may go a long way to avoid disappointment for everyone!
And don’t forget, the more notice you can give your venue of choice, the more likely it will be free for your chosen date.
Then it’s up to you both to make it the most wonderful day of your lives!
Hawkshead Lodge & Gardens, Lake Wanaka, Central Otago
“where every moment of your Wedding Day is truly memorable”