John and Bridget Forrest (the Doctors) represent some of the best wine made in New Zealand and while based in Marlborough they have vineyards across New Zealand. During the off season it is a time to do a bit of personal tasting and a visit to Forrest was very rewarding and is certainly worth a visit when doing a Marlborough wine tour.
There is always something on taste to surprise you and the other day was no exception. Jim let me taste for the first time an Otago Pinot, the Tatty Bogler (named after a Scottish scarecrow) and the John Forrest Cabinet Sauvignon. Both absolutely stunning and if you love good red wine it would pay to hunt some down.
Jim at the Cellar door is very knowlegable and very happy to explain and discuss the wine with you.
One wine that took my eye or rather taste buds was the Forrest Chenin Blanc. Not a common wine but for those that are maybe looking for something a little different from the Sav Blanc and Pinot Gris this may be a good one to try,tasting notes mention flavours of peaches and nectarines which were there for me not sure about the lanoline- you be the judge.

Bladen. Have been visiting this winery since we first came to Marlborough. The Pinot Gris is still a favourite and when you have the oldest Pinot Gris vines in Marlborough it shows. Chris and Dave ( the owners ) always do the cellar door so if there is anything you want to know about starting a vineyard this is the place to go. A couple of stories always seem to come up but one of my favorite is when Christine tells of Daves love of Merlot Melbec. not much is made and what Dave doesn’t drink Chris is happy to sell.
This tasting room was just a shed and then a shed with shelves and now it has outdoor furniture and was a well deserved recipient of the first Cellar Door of the Year in 2008.

 The stop at the rise overlooking vineyards as far as the eye can see is a must on your personalised Marlborough Wine Tour. The view is always stunning and for the energetic there is always the climb to the top of this wonderful statue on the Seresin Estate vineyard.  After photos are taken the wines will be just as impressive. Being both Organic and Bio Dynamic, Seresin wines are crafted to the highest standard and many guests put them in a class of their own.