Happy days...

IT'S been on the calendar for a few weeks, but yesterday came the day for a girls' day out.

Celebrating the birthday of one of my Welsh friends, we climbed into an 8-seater and headed off on a winery tour. It wasn't so much a tour but a whistlestop visit to a smattering of the most local vineyards.

We started off locally, about 6kms down the road, where we were given a tasting on four refreshing whites and three full bodied reds. Looking quite the demure party in heels and skirts, we nosed bouquets, swirled glasses and held full interest in what we were being told by the cellar doorman.

There were comparisons of 'oaky notes' and 'nutty length' - which raised a few titters - but for me, I was happy just sipping mouthfuls here and there of anything that came my way!

We sampled the chalky texture of a Riesling, the mouth-coating tannins of a Shiraz and a young-drinking and food-friendly Tempranillo with its red cherry tannins and a whisper of oak. Even the aromatic and lively Pinot Noir held my attention enough for me to invest in a bottle to sip away at in the early afternoon sun.

A few of the girls invested in a case of their favourites and after they were bundled into the boot - the cases, not the girls - on we went to the next venue.

This time, some 15kms or so further across the peninsula, we pulled up for some lunch at another watering hole. These places take my breath away. I'm forever telling myself how lucky I am to call this place home, my sense of pride is immense.

The immaculate rows of vines roll on for miles and in between sips of Chardy, we took in the views. These got blurrier as the day went on though, and by 5pm, last orders had been called and home we went. For a bit more wine... this time from my girlfriend's fridge!

Good times.