If you love nature, conservation, stunning wildnerness, spectacular landscapes, oh and fabulous wine – then this is the episode for you.

Today we are talking all about the most southern wine tasting and wine cellar door in the world.  It is owned by Greg Hay and these are his words.

“Why on earth would you name a wine brand after one of the most remotest, wettest, farthrest from an actual vineyard place in New Zealand?”

That place is called Wet Jacket Arm and the wine brand is Wet Jacket Wine.

We share the fascinating history of the name, why Greg loves it so much and how he has come to build one of the most popular wine brands from Central Otago, New Zealand.

Of course Lyle geeks out on why the wine tastes so good, and we share all about Wet Jackets very unique way of sharing those wines with people who can’t get to visit the tasting rooms, oh and I almost forgot to tell you we also divulge where you can taste the wines if you are in this part of New Zealand and it is another venue with a spectacular view that only this area of New Zealand can deliver.

Stay listening to the end to hear where Greg recommended a brand new restaurant to have dinner (nothing like a local to give you the best info) and of course the wine and views that we enjoyed on the waterfront in Queenstown.

To sum up this episode – pristine nature, delicious wine, charismatic locals and dramatic awe-inspiring views.

Please enjoy episode 78

SHOWNOTES AND PICTURES BELOW

Greg Hay is the “captain” of Wet Jacket Wine in Central Otago, Queenstown, New Zealand. Greg was one of the pioneers of the Central Otago Wine region with his first winery with his brother called Chard Wines.

Next he started Perigrine Wines and finally in 2015 he was ready to start a new wine venture, but what was he going to call it? He asked himself this question about the name going round in his head - “Why on earth would you name a new wine brand after one of the remotest, wettest, farthest from an actual vineyard, place in New Zealand?”

“I had that exact question going around in my head back in 2015, when on a trip into Wet Jacket Arm (Moana Uta) on the MV Pembroke, I found myself anchored up there at the head of this sound soaking in its absolute majesty.”

Captain James Cook named the place 'Wet Jacket Arm' during his second trip to New Zealand in 1773. He and his crew arrived after 133 days at sea and docked their ship, The Resolution, in a cozy cove barely larger than their vessel in Tamatea (Dusky Sound).

Initially called Pickersgill Harbour, they stayed here for about six weeks. During their stay, the crew explored the surrounding waters, measuring the depths of the incredible, expansive internal waterway in small boats.

One time, while out recording depths, a storm surprised the crew, leaving them completely soaked upon their return. When Cook asked where they had been to end up so wet, the name 'Wet Jacket Arm' was born for the place, adding to the unique names Cook and his crew created during their explorations.

You can read about the whole Wet Jacket Wine Story here

Wet Jacket Arm is the spiritual home of Wet Jacket Wines. It sits at the entrance of Acheron Passage, a waterway between Tamatea (Dusky Sound) and Te Puaitaha (Breaksea Sound), right behind Tau Moana (Resolution Island).

Greg, as well as making fantastic wine, is also big on protecting wildlife. He's a Trustee for the Fiordland Conservation Trust, working hard on projects to help New Zealand's endangered birds survive and thrive.

Find out more about Greg’s conservation efforts here Southern Fiordland Initiative

Wet Jacket Wines are some of the most delicious wines we have tasted anywhere in the world. In particular the Pinot Gris and the Pinot Noir. It is because of the way the wine is made, but also the uniqueness of the conditions, climate and location of the Central Otago Region of New Zealand. It is the most southern wine region in the world and Wet Jacket Wines have the most southern wine tasting rooms in the world and the closest to Wet Jacket Arm.

Find our more about the wines here. Wet Jacket Wines

There are literally 150 plus restaurants and bars in Queenstown, but we were lucky enough, on Greg’s recommendation, to visit Soda. It is a large restaurant that hasn’t been open too long, but has the views, food and wine list to rival any restaurant in the world. You can see the restaurant here. Soda Restaurant

We thoroughly enjoyed our interview and chat with Greg and learning all about Wet Jacket Wines. If you want to hear the full story, along with some other great information then click one of the players above.

If you would like to see the other podcasts, show notes and heaps of gorgeous photos all around this part of southern New Zealand then click the button below.