We’re all in need of a bit of extra love this year. If you’re looking to delight and surprise your loved one this Valentine’s Day, North Canterbury has the spoils! We’ve compiled a handy list of the most delicious treats, best wining & dining experiences and romantic nights away that will score you major brownie points come February 14th.
Pop into Milly’s Fudge & Chocolates at Waikuku’s Old School Collective and fill a box from the delicious selection of confection, head to Amberley Farmers’ Market and pick-up some to-die-for truffles or cookies from The Artisan Biscuit or jump online and order a custom-made tart from Make it Raw. Whichever you choose, someone is going to be very, very happy with this gift.
Pro tip: Add a gorgeous bunch of flowers from Good Dirt Flowers (Old School Collective) or Beyond the Bloom (Amberley Farmers’ Market) for extra points!
Take a roadie and get a taste for North Canterbury with a bit of cellar door hopping. As well as wine tasting, some North Canterbury cellar doors offer unforgettable dining experiences that are best shared with a loved one. Our faves are listed here, but for all the options, check out the North Canterbury Wine Region map and be sure to book ahead to avoid disappointment.
Go all out and whisk your beloved away for a whole weekend! There are some jaw-droppingly gorgeous and undeniably romantic little boltholes in our mighty region and you’re bound to impress the… erm… socks off your special someone by secretly squirrelling them away to any of them. Try the incredible glamping setup at Tawanui Farm, the adorable Wine Pod at Georges Road Wines, Black Estate’s beautiful Air B&B or the next-level Purepod at Greystone. Whilst you’ve probably missed the boat for a February weekend, gifting a future booking or a voucher along with a bottle of North Canterbury wine makes for a fine substitute on the day – and then when the actual stay rolls around it feels like another whole gift! (Twice the gift, twice the thanks).
En route, fill a hamper at the Amberley Hotel Crown & Pantry to ensure you’ve enough goodies to graze on all weekend long.
Fact: picnics are an essential experience in your wooing toolkit. But you really need to step that ‘sandwich in the park’ experience up a few hundred notches with a visit to the Pegasus Bay Mini-Deli. Drop in for a cellar door tasting then purchase your favourite drop, select from the gourmet goodies in the deli, pop them all into a basket and head out for a lazy afternoon in your own private nook in the sprawling gardens. Too easy (not to mention uber-romantic)!
If you’re staying close to home this Valentine’s Day, a bit of online shopping is your best friend. With delivery available direct from many of our top food and beverage producers, you can have all the deliciousness in the comfort of your own (clean, tidy, candle-filled, fairy-light adorned, rose-petal-covered) home. From ethically-raised or organic meat and the freshest locally-grown vegetables to pantry items and locally-made wine, beer or gin, you can get all the ingredients for a meal to remember delivered right to your doorstep. Valentine’s Perfection.
