Days of wine and roses

LOCATION LOCATION: A rural vineyard setting is the perfect spot for the perfect wedding.

After a couple of promising vintages, Millars Vineyard has achieved Gold Medal status at the recent NZ International Wine Competition for their 2010 vintage Syrah – heading off some strong Australian opposition.

“We felt we had a good product right from picking,” says Ross Millar who, with wife Jennimay run all aspects of the Mangawhai boutique winery. “The summer had been good, the yield was good and this time we aged the wine in American Oak barrels for the first time which I think helped give it that little bit of x-factor.”

It’s also a local triumph as the pressing was done next door at Lochiel Vineyards and overseen by noted winemaker Rob Cameron. 

Millars is not just home to award-winning wines but the vineyard also lends itself as an ideal wedding venue. Nestled into the coastal foothills of the Brynderwyn range and surrounded by picturesque rural views of vineyards and olive groves, the bush-bound setting, the quaint gazebo and the freshness and symmetry of the vines creates a stage setting that is hard to beat for such a special event.