Travel only 35 minutes from central Auckland and feel a million miles away from home, to while away a pleasant Sunday afternoon at Vin Alto's Enoteca. Relax between Enzo's extensive collection of antique glassware and winemaking equipment or in the intimate olive tree lined courtyard overlooking vineyards, herds of deer and views back to the city. You will also be able to play Bocce -Italian version of Pétanque- on our Bocce court.
Sun, wine and a new menu!
Sleep in on a Sunday, have a cup of coffee and perhaps a very light breakfast, before you make your way to a little slice of Italy, at Vin Alto in Clevedon, for a long and leisurely lunch.
The delicious aromas coming from the kitchen, where Margaret has been baking fresh bread that morning and Enzo is setting the wood oven to prepare the main course of the day, will welcome you. Wonder through the garden, glass of Fizzante in hand, and admire amazing sculptures by Clevedon artist James Wright, against the backdrop of grazing deer and vistas of the Hairaki Gulf. Make your way back to the Enoteca to be seated at your table and start your lunch.
A glass of Pinot Grigio 2006, with its crisp and minerally characters, will be the perfect companion for lightly smoked tuna Carpaccio with artichoke and radish. Our Rosé Vino Amabile is often referred to as 'the perfect summer wine' because it drinks very well on its own, but you will agree that it goes very well with our second course. Margaret's aubergine caviar is bursting with flavour and served with traditional Italian flat bread crisps.
As the only winery in New Zealand making Amarone and Ripasso style wines, we are very proud to share our Ritorno (Ripasso) 2005 with you. This wine is made to be enjoyed with gutsy meat dishes, so Enzo will prepare whole Angus rump, crusted with fresh herbs, in the wood oven. We will serve nice medium rare slices, together with fresh green beans and gratinated potatoes.
We were very impressed, when Puhoi's new French cheese maker offered us his new washed rind cheese to try. This is a beautiful full flavoured cheese, which we will present with sweet dark pumpernickel bread and a glass of Clevedon Hills Leighton's Port. To satisfy your sweet tooth, we finish this menu with a rolled Pavlova filled with summer berries and Limoncello on the side.
A cup of strong coffee will set you up for the trip home and a nice afternoon nap!
Vedivi presto!
We are able to accommodate special dietary requirements providing we have sufficient notice. All our food is freshly prepared, so we do need to know how many guests to expect, a few days in advance.
For enquiries or reservations, please phone 09 292 8845 or enquire online
