The balance of perfectly pairing food and wine is a delicate one, but it is something which sets winery restaurants apart from the rest.
Finalists of the Bay Drycleaners and Laundry Services Outstanding Winery Restaurant in the Hawke's Bay Hospitality Awards: Terroir at Craggy Range, Mission Restaurant, Clearview Estate Winery Restaurant
and Elephant Hill Restaurant, understand the importance of good food, wine and ambience.
It is mix of those factors, which takes a dining experience from pleasant to exceptional.
Terroir at Craggy Range gets the mix just right by ensuring the "romance" of the vineyard is reflected in carefully selected meals and wines which compliment them.
"It's an important combination, you get it right and it can create a taste sensation, but get it wrong and you can completely ruin a dish," manager Tracey McInnes said.
"From the other point of view a great meal can make a good wine even better.
"It's about creating romance."
At Elephant Hill Restaurant in Te Awanga it is the breathtaking scenery, which takes dining to new heights.
"I think it's the ambience. The outlook here is amazing, the vines, the ocean and the iconic Cape Kidnappers," PR and marketing person Magdalena Van den Berg said.
"It is the best of both worlds, an urban dining experience with a rural setting."
Wines selected to suit certain dishes are a major drawcard for Taradale's Mission Restaurant.
"The best thing about dining at a winery is definitely the wine aspect, you get to order all the inhouse wines. They are all different and quite often we cater the cuisine to match," manager Ewald Jaritz said.
"People expect they will be able to get advice on pairing wine and food."
At Clearview Estate Winery Restaurant, balancing the menu with the right wines, made onsite, is a process which involves all staff.
"I think the match of food and wine gives good synergy," Owner/operator Helma Van den Berg said.
"The chef just released his winter menu and then the wine maker suggested suitable accompaniments, after that staff get together and try the combinations.
"Part of that training includes making sure they know what doesn't work well together."
The fact that the wine is grown, made and served on the same site was also special, Ms Van den Berg said.
"It has that lovely grassroots connection."
For industry voting go to: www.hbhospoawards.co.nz or the facebook page hbhospoawards
