Rob Roy Glacier and Central Otago wine country - New Zealand

Hike to Rob Roy Glacier, 54 km from Wanaka
Left Aspiring Lodge at 7:10am and arrived at Raspberry Creek car park at 8:11am. Began hike at 8:20am. Easy-moderate grade with a good trail all the way to the end. Many switchbacks. Reached end at 10:15am (2 hours up). Views of gigantic Rob Roy Glacier (which JC explained is receding) across the mountain, with substantial snow packs from avalanches below. While watching the Glacier, we heard the telltale rumble of an avalanche (like a low, long roll of thunder) and saw what looked like a third waterfall which was actually snow falling hundreds of feet into the snow pack below. After a few minutes, the fall of snow ended and the third "waterfall" disappeared. Hike back to car took only 1-1/2 hours.

Central Otago Wine Country
Back at the lodge around 1pm. Changed clothes, got lunch and began drive from Wanaka to wine country (destination: Cromwell, to the SE). We drove around the industrial park in Cromwell, before finding Quartz Reef.

Quartz Reef Winery (Cromwell) -- Rudi, an Austrian who worked at Rippon Winery in Wanaka before starting Quartz Reef, amiably served us his riesling and pinot noir, discussing the soil conditions and modest 3000 case output of his winery. He directed us to Rockburn Winery (unexceptional) in Cromwell and Mt. Difficulty Winery in Bannockburn.

Mt. Difficulty Winery (Bannockburn) -- excellent views from the hilltop and cafe. In comparison to Quartz Reef and Rockburn, this winery had excellent merchandising, though it pales in comparison to the merchandising of wineries in Napa and Sonoma.

Felton Road Winery -- last stop in Bannockburn. Cult status.

I tasted pinot noirs from all four wineries, with the 2006 pinot noir from Felton Road being quite exceptional.

Took a photo using JC's camera of JC and John in front of each winery.