Organic cheese, wine in NZ

[QueenCeleste]

Hi,
I'm planning a trip to NZ later this year and am really interested in checking out the organic scene. Can anyone recommend an organic or biodynamic winery and organic cheese maker? Thanks everyone.

[jogas]

Richmond Plains and Sunset Valley are two organic wine producers in Nelson. Sunset Valley also has accommodation.
Do a Google search for organic cheese producers...a couple if the North Island south of Auckland.

[mlgb]

I don't claim any expertise but I did stop at this cheese maker (in Northland) and it appears that they qualify. You can visit the farm which has a store on site, but apparently they don't allow tours.

http://www.mahoecheese.co.nz/background.html

There is Whitestone which is in Oamaru, don't know if they meet the criteria but they have a tour

https://www.whitestonecheese.co.nz/Radshop/bin/Whitestone.html

Maybe Canterbury Cheesemongers could give you some recommendations.

http://www.cheesemongers.co.nz/

[rachelfc]

http://www.ecofestnelsontasman.co.nz/organic.html

Don't know what "later this year means but if you're here in Aug check this out. You'll find some links there too.

Also check out www.hohepa.com. Its a pretty special place.

http://www.nzsca.org.nz has a cheese map, but you'll have to fish out the organic stuff.

www.seresin.co.nz is organic/biodynamic- also does oil and honey but don't know about cheese.

I suppose you know about wwoofers? (willing workers on organic farms?) If not check out www.wwoof.co.nz (or just .org if you want the international sites.

)

Keep us posted on what you get up to,
Rachel.

[CeeVee]

I recently came across Blue River Dairy at the Food Show here in Auckland who make a couple of organic cows milk cheeses.
http://www.blueriverdairy.co.nz/Products

I'm dairy intolerant, so I just LOVE their range of sheeps milk cheeses (all vegetarian), including a fantastic cheddar.

[stanleyk]

Milton Vineyard in Gisborne is excellent and biodynamic

http://www.millton.co.nz/

Very good Chenin Blanc, one of very few in the country, also excellent Riesling too, Opou I think!

While there try TW wines who do a very good sweet wine, depending on year the grape can change, I had a viognier and it was fantastic.

Enjoy your trip