THE next time you are holidaying in wine country and fancy popping around the corner to visit a winery, remember a country block is a lot bigger than a city one!
Surveying the map of Richmond, we were convinced we could wander a short 15 minutes to visit some cellar doors.  They appeared to be just on the other side of the block our motel was on.  How wrong we were.   
Forty minutes later we reached the Te Mania tasting room and had worked up a healthy thirst for the fruit of the vine.
It was such a lovely day we popped out onto the deck, where our friendly Spanish host set up an outside bar and poured samples of six wines for us to taste.   
The Te Mania Reserve Chardonnay 2008 ($26 at Regional) hit the spot.  It was irresistible thanks to a nose of marmalade biscuits and rich fruit flavours balanced by nutty savoury touches from the oak.
My favourite was the Te Mania Reserve Pinot Noir 2008 ($35).  I was seduced by its dark cherries, silky tannins and generous finish.
We were about to stroll around the corner to the next winery, when the groom we were escorting pulled up, bundled us into the car and drove us off to lunch.  Just as well, really.  We came perilously close to walking another country mile.
Wine of the week:  Villa Maria Cellar Selection Hawkes Bay Viognier 2009 ($23) scored 4.5 stars in the latest Cuisine for its power and lusciousness.  Complex and creamy, apricot notes mix it up with spice from time in oak.  Viognier makes a tasty after-work aperitif and goes well with exotic food as well as cheesy dishes like nachos.
 P.S. While the wines are good out in the back blocks, the road signs are a bit silly!