Food joins wine list

Press, 16 November 1987, Page 7

Food joins wine list

By

SARAH SANDS

Wine-lovers will be able to enjoy a glass of wine and lunch in the sun throughout summer this year at Larcomb Wines. The vineyard released its 1987 vintages at the week-end and celebrated the opening of an extended courtyard where vineyard lunches will be served. Mr John Thom, the vineyard’s owner and winemaker, said yesterday that the “wine garden” (as the courtyard is known) had been established because it complemented the wine. “We feel that the surroundings are a natural accompaniment and it’s an aspect of wine we would like to encourage in Canterbury. “In all the civilised parts of the world you can go and sit in pleasant surroundings and enjoy the wine of the vineyard with food.”

Last year the vineyard provided lunches only for bus tours on the wine trail, said Mr Thom. “This year we’ve put more tables in, we’ve put trellissing up so there’s

shelter from the winds, and we’ve built a covered all-weather area.” The lunches were available to anyone who wanted food with their wine, he said. Larcomb Wines, 10km south of Hortiby, is open six days a week — Tuesday to Sunday — from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. It was the only local vineyard open on Sundays, said Mr Thom.

“Peoplb are not used to being able to go to a vineyard on Sundays. It’s an innovation for Canterbury but one we would like to entourage.” However on Sundays, the vineyard was only allowed to sell wine for consumption on the premises, he said.

"We also offer fruit juices for anyone who is driving. We encourage moderation and we don’t want to add to any road accident problems.”

Larcomb Wines was established in 1981 and produces Pinot Noir, Rhine Riesling, Gewurztraminer, and medium and dry Briedeckers. This year a small area of Chardonnay grapes has also been planted.