Sometimes returning to a former line of work as a hobby can be satisfying, as Alan Brady has found.
For the past 20 years he has been one of the faces of Central Otago wine, first as the pioneering founder of Gibbston Valley Wines, then of Mount Edward, and now with his own label, Wild Irishman.
He regards the latter as a kind of hobby, now he has semi-retired, but he has taken up an earlier trade - that of film-making. Some will remember when he was a television journalist and producer back in the 1970s and '80s.
During the past year he has been seen around the region and its wine events behind his digital video recorder and now he has released the results, a DVD, Exploring Terroir, a record of the 2009 Central Otago Pinot Noir Celebration, and an additional journey through the vineyard seasons.
"With my Sony HD Handycam, I can get pictures that are at least as good as the old 16mm film days in news. And better still, I can edit and package the whole thing on my Mac. So maybe I'm a control freak but it's very satisfying," he says.
The DVD is available from some of the Central Otago cellar doors ($30) or from alan.brady@xtra.co.nz.
The ODT's "Chef's Garden" columnists Bevan and Monique Smith now have a website for their Riverstone Kitchen near Oamaru.
You can see the menus, make reservations and see their latest recipes (which are also on www.odt.co.nz).
Soon you'll also be able to buy their deli items such as biscuits, preserves, oils and other goodies on line as well.
On the net: www.riverstonekitchen.co.nz
