The Aperol Garden Pop Up - The Deck At Ostro

Something kinda cool is happening a few flights of stairs above Britomart. The Aperol Garden is a little piece of Italian Heaven in the centre of the city. This pop-up which is only around until March 16th is on the deck at Ostro is is 100% dedicated to the the Aperol Spritz.

There is no doubt about it the Aperol Spritz is enjoying remarkable popularity, however did you know that Aperol has been around since 1919, almost 100 years.

In Italy the Aperol Spritz is the definitive Spritz, n Italian Spritz always has a bitter element as bitter flavours are the norm there. The other vital element is Prosecco, therefore for it to be a genuine Italian Spritz you should only use this style of Sparkling wine & no other.

Last but definitely not least, the Aperol Spritz is a cocktail which is one standard drink, which at a time when we are moderating our alcohol intake and when drink driving laws are stricter than ever, it's pretty cool to have a cocktail that has less alcohol in it than a glass of wine.

Head along to the Aperol Pop Up at The Deck at Ostro to enjoy your own delicious Aperol Spritz and a platter of Italian delights. They might even let you make your own Spritz if you feel so inclined!

Take a sneak peak at the fun I had at this cool pop-up below.

The deck at Ostro has an awesome pop up happening until March 16th! Get there & enjoy this iconic Italian spritz

The Stoneleigh Courtyard

Trudi Nelson (Fresh Factory), Kylie Robertson (Pernod Ricard) & Me

Photo: Norrie Montgomery

I have to admit to previously not even knowing that Te Wero Island was a place, I previously referred to it as "the place beside the bridge between The Viaduct & Wynyard Quarter". However right now this little piece of Auckland its kinda the place to be as there is an awesome new pop-up bar just in time for the Volvo Ocean Race boats to arrive.

Wine brand Stoneleigh have pulled out all the stops to make an ocean-side garden paradise in the heart of the city, vine-covered archways, beautiful seating, trees, gravel, grass and even beanbags if you are so inclined (beanbags, great idea in theory, but just not when wearing a short skirt and there is absolutely NO elegant way to extricate yourself from a beanbag) anyhoo, I digress. 

The Stoneleigh Courtyard opened last week and like all pop-ups it isn't around for long,  March 18th is the final day and this garden venue is a prime location for being in the centre of the excitement surrounding the Volvo Ocean Race as it's right beside the Ocean Race Village. 

Pop in and enjoy a yummy Stoneleigh wine (naturally) or a cold Peroni or indulge yourself at the Frose cart (coz - yes!) which is also in situ. The deliciousness is not limited to drinks, as a full menu is also available, which is no mean feat for a pop up. I have to say that if the standard of food is as good as we experienced at the launch then it comes highly recommended from me. 

Last week at the Stoneleigh Courtyard was my first trip but definitely won't be my last, I am heading down there for a delicious wine and some treats with friends next week to watch the world go by before this little city oasis is gone for good!

Deets in summery: The Stoneleigh Courtyard, Te Wero Island until March 18th. Stoneleigh Wine, Peroni Beer, Froze & delish eats

Grey Goose Cocktail Pop Up at Custom Lane Launch

For those of you who haven't been to Custom Lane it's a hidden gem in the heart of the city. Attached to the  Grand Mercure Hotel, Customs Street during the day this sleepy little laneway serves coffee and doughnuts however at night for the next two weeks it is being transformed into a cool inner city pop-up cocktail bar hosted by none other than luxury French vodka brand Grey Goose.

Each night of the week Grey Goose cocktails are being served with delicious French inspired food pairings available as well as a cool crepe station where you can get a deliciously decadent crepe made to order.

Photo: Norrie Montgomery

This pop-up couldn't be better timed as the days are warmer & the nights are longer and sitting in this cool alleyway while the breeze blows through while enjoying a Grey Goose cocktail isn't to shabby a way to spend an Auckland evening! Combine that with the fact that DJ Karn Hall will be manning the decks on Thursday & Friday evenings and the real question is why wouldn't you check it out?

We tried a range of cocktails on the night but the two biggest crowd pleasers on the night were the iconic Grey Goose Le Grand Fizz  and the Grey Goose Espresso Martini.

The Pop-Up at Custom Lane runs from Friday 24th November to Saturday 9th December every night from 3pm.

Go check it out.

The Bombay Botanicals Bazaar Launch

Photo: Norrie Montgomery

Back for a third successful year the now well established Bombay Sapphire event has evolved once again. This year sees the Fresh Factory transformed into a hub of 5 international food stalls each matched with a Bombay Sapphire gin cocktail.

The event is held over 5 nights only from November 1st - 5th inclusive &it is an event not to be missed. Take a tour around each of the stalls sampling culinary delights from Spain, Italy, Germany, China & Morocco each matched with a absolutely delicious & well matched gin cocktail.

My favourite cocktail of the night was the cocktail from China, but my favourite food pick of the night came from Spain....coz who wants to play by the rules and put the suggested matches together? :) This is an event where there really is something for everyone to enjoy & did I mention they also have a "make your own" gin cocktail stall with G&T on tap.....now that's my kinda party!

This awesome event is the brainchild of cocktail guru & Bombay Sapphire Ambassador Chase Bickerton and Jamie Johnston who brought us the pop-up restaurant Judge Bao and it is flawlessly executed with each cocktail stall manned by some of Auckland's finest hospitality staff serving cocktails that are truly next level (spoiler alert - there's dry ice involved & if that isn't an Instagram moment then I don't know what is)

The Bombay Botanicals Bazaar is at the Fresh Factory, Nikau Street, Auckland now until Sunday & tickets available on iTicket now. Tickets include two dish and cocktail matches with additional meal/cocktail tickets available to buy either online or at the event. Do not miss this event!

Wine Launch: SOHO Pink Sheep Rosé at SPQR

Image by Norrie Montgomery

On a particularly miserable Auckland evening, we gathered at SPQR on Ponsonby Road to celebrate the launch of SOHO Wine Co's newest wine - Pink Sheep. A Rosé whose name is inspired by the extraordinarily talented designer Alexander McQueen who tragically took his own life after a battle with depression & anxiety at the age of only 40. 

In a fitting tribute, this Pink Sheep (a nickname McQueen gave himself) is helping New Zealanders battle the stigma attached to mental health issues & also hoping to help turn the tide on suicide in this country, which sadly sits as one of the highest in the OECD by giving 50c from each bottle sold to the Key To Life Charitable Trust 

To understand just why this charity is so important to the team at Soho - give my interview with Rachael Carter from Soho Wine Co a look, as she outlines just why this cause is so dear to her heart & why she - and the rest of the team at Soho want to make a real difference.

As for the launch - a great night was had by all - the Rosé was flowing, the food was delicious & the speeches were the perfect combination of inspirational & short :)

How can you be unhappy when you have a perfect glass of pink Rosé in your hand? Let the wind howl (and it did!) we certainly didn't care. 

Rachael Carter - the MD of Soho Wines also announced that non-other than Raymond Chan had given Pink Sheep a 5 Star rating - this is not a rating that Raymond Chan (or any respected wine expert) gives away lightly, so yet another reason to get your hands on a bottle of this delicious Rosé. 

Pink Sheep 2017 Rosé is available at all good liquor retailers from October 2nd (ie now!) 

SOHO Wine Co - Pink Sheep Rosé 2017

SOHO Wine have done something pretty cool, they have made an amazing wine (nothing new there for the team at SOHO) but this is a wine that is giving back & helping people. 

In our beautiful New Zealand we excel at many things, unfortunately, some of those things are less than great. NZ has one the highest suicide rate in the OECD and even worse this number is on the rise. This can't continue & one remarkable woman is doing something about it. 

Rachael Carter - MD for SOHO wines has seen first-hand the effect that depression can have on a family. Loosing an uncle to suicide  & seeing "waterfall effect" that came as a result of that she is putting her money where her mouth is with regards to being part of the solution. 

Rachael is donating 50c from the sale of every bottle of SOHO Pink Sheep - the name by the way which is inspired by the late, great Alexander McQueen who himself struggled with depression & ultimately took his own life - to The Key To Life Charitable Trust run by Mike King - a man who is leading the way in keeping the conversation going, lifting the lid & changing (and I believe saving) lives. 

I sat down for a chat with Rachael & I was so inspired & moved by what she had to say. 

“We need to value our worth on earth”

— Rachael Carter

Having had my own journey with depression I am so proud of what Rachael & the team at SOHO wines are doing & I'm throwing 100% of my support behind them. 

Call round to see a friend with a bottle of SOHO Pink Sheep & ask them if they're ok...start a conversation with the person next to you in the liquor shop to ask if they're ok, or maybe just reach out and tell someone you're not ok. 

Let's turn the tide on suicide & stem the loss of suicide. 

Two Rivers Marlborough "Isle Of Beauty" Rosé 2017 Launch

What's the quickest way to make a wine loving mermaid happy? Stick her on the ocean wave with a glass (and a few) of Rosé and some awesome fellow wine lovers. BLISS! 

I absolutely adore the "Isle Of Beauty' Rosé - it's bone dry and deliciously fruity. A very European style of Rosé with the lightest pink colour imaginable. 

Check out the highlights of the launch party below

Te Whare Ra New Single Vineyard Releases

Te Whare Ra have three very special new Single Vineyard releases. A Sauv unlike any other, a stunning Pinot & a breathtaking Syrah. I'm totally biased as I absolutely LOVE TWR but I just don't care. Can never keep my wine chats with Anna short as she has so much passion & amazing knowledge!

Launch of 2015 Homage by Trinity Hill

New Zealand's finest Syrah is only made in years when the grapes are at their best. Hence why in 15 years there has only been 8 vintages. I had the privilege of being one of a select group of wine adorers who flew down to the Hawkes Bay to taste the latest (2015) vintage.

Angus The Bull Winemaker - Hamish McGowan

Hamish McGowan, winemaker for Angus The Bull visited NZ recently. I got the opportunity to attend a tasting & have a chat to the man himself about how Angus The Bull came to be!

Lunch that followed could of course could only be one thing - STEAK!