Guest Chef: Martin Bosley, Wellington

Winemaker: Tim Heath, Cloudy Bay Wines, Marlborough

The drive in to Poronui for the Food and Wine Weekend took longer than expected as we slowed to view the remnants of snow from the previous weekend, and could only imagine how spectacular this must have been. We secretly hoped it might return this weekend but to no avail!

After settling into our luxurious surroundings and dusting off any end-of-week stresses, we forgot about the rest of the world and settled in for a much anticipated foodies weekend.

Friday night sixteen excited guests, all friends in wine and food, mingled together with Poronui staff and Chef Martin Bosley and his assistant Amy. Some knew each other already, many didn’t, but this was no obstacle to a fabulous evening of conversation and a taste and tipple to the weekend. The Staff at Poronui ensured we were all very well fed and watered throughout the evening.

Everyone used Saturday as an opportunity to pursue different activities on offer – horse-riding, deer-stalking, fly-fishing, or simply just relaxing by the river or reading. Of course there was a wonderful lunch served at Blake House and as with the whole experience, there is plenty of food and wine and other refreshments as you desire.

Hors d’ouvres and Cloudy Bay Pelorus began our evening dining experience. The magic was weaved in the kitchen and the degustation menu served was a true reflection of the environment and atmosphere that is Poronui. Martin Bosley showcased both land and sea with the creation of the dishes, with the overarching theme of fresh and seasonal. The wines chosen to complement each course by Tim were a perfect match, and a wee whisky slipped in to finish the final dish.

It was very difficult to make our departure on Sunday. The weather is irrelevant when you get together with people who are so passionate about food and wine and having fun.

We had such a fantastic weekend. Poronui Food and Wine Weekend is the one weekend a year we can truly relax and enjoy doing as much or as little as we like with great food, wine and friends. This is the best place to rejuvenate our minds in such a fantastic setting. A definite pre-booked date in our diaries in the future.