There is nothing quite like a grey day to make every colour pop.
On a drizzly Saturday morning, Micah and I along with a couple of friends piled into a bus filled with mathematicians and physicists and headed out on the road for a day trip. Hunter Valley, here we come! This Hunter trip was the third one that I've joined this group on. It really is great to get a group of people out of the office to enjoy some random activity and build friendships. Each trip I come home with a case of beautiful wines and a couple more people on my list of I-know-you's.
This trip we stopped at
this absolutely fantastic winery. If you ever get a chances to try any of their selection it is well worth it. We came away completely content, carrying more than a case of wine and a membership to their wine club. Let's hope we can head up again later this year to check out their next batch of new treats!
As for the winery itself, the site used to be a convent. The grounds are wonderfully maintained, with long driveways to rustic buildings. There's even a chapel still on site which is used for the occasional wedding. The walkways between buildings tend to be brick cobblestone, and there are lovely flower patches accenting the vineyards and buildings.
taken May 2010 - Peppertree Winery, Hunter Valley, NSW
I don't take that many photos of flowers from the side, but I think this one worked out quite nicely indeed. Also, my camera sometimes has a fit taking pictures of pink flowers. I don't know why, but there it is. 
It's so nice to see pictures turn out the way I hoped they would. On this beautifully sunny day in winter in the Hunter, it was just so lovely to be able to stroll out on the green grass and admire the flowers in bloom. Yes, they are a rather common, shall I even say a 'garden variety' flower here in Oz, but they really are lovely.
I know I've introduced you all to Pepper Tree Winery before. (here) They really are one of the top wineries of the Hunter Valley and well worth visiting if you are in the area. Their production levels basically match cellar door demand, so if you like a wine you'd best buy it up right quick! On our May trip to the Hunter, we sampled the newly released shiraz named Pebbles. On our return trip in August they had been sold out of Pebbles for over a month. That's crazy quick! The Coquun seen above was a delicious shiraz which I believe is already sold out 6 weeks after release. All I have to say on this is 'good on ya' and 'yum'!
