Cuisine Wine

LazyDog Vineyard and Edible Garden

Setting
There actually is a dog called Lazy, as well as Jade the “cafe queen”, and two working dogs that help on Diana and Dean Harker’s small farm at Queensberry, halfway between Cromwell and Wanaka. “Lazy dog” is a metaphor for the farm dogs being laid off as vineyards took over from sheep, explains Diana who grew up in Central. She grows vegetables, nuts, olives and berries for the restaurant – they need a ton of tomatoes for the pizzas, she says.

Things To Know
The small vineyard is mostly planted in chenin blanc with which winemaker Jeff Sinnott makes a delicious wine oozing fruit, but with a shaft of acidity on the finish. LazyDog is also tasting room and cellar door for neighbouring vineyards Locharburn, Two Degrees and Vela, plus guest vineyards are featured during the year.

Our Picks
Try LazyDog Chenin Blanc, Locharburn Chardonnay or Vela’s Twelfth Night Riesling.

Lazydog Bistro
Naturally the Harkers use their own produce in their bistro, which serves light meals, pizzas and more substantial farmhouse classics. South African-born chef Dean Harker makes his own boerewors and other sausages, pies, and a large variety of preserves, chutneys, sauces, biltong, and smoked salmon, which are for sale.
Hours: As for cellar door.