Iconic Taupo business celebrates 30th year with a new home

For thirty years, it’s been business as usual for iconic Taupo company Scenic Cellars. Now it’s time for a change with new premises and a new menu.

From 1st August, Scenic Cellars Wine Merchant & Eatery will be ready to host, wine & dine you and continue to be your cellar of choice from its new home on Tuwharetoa St, Taupo.

“The character of the business, like any fine wine, will be retained, even though the look and feel of the business is getting an upgrade,” explains Ian Isaacs, managing director of Scenic Cellars. “We will continue to have the country’s most extensive collection of wine.”

The original lakefront space is too small due to the business wanting to increase its food offering, successfully introduced three years ago in the form of the Vine Cafe, which soon became a place to meet, grab your favourite wine from the cellar and grab a tasting platter of Vine-made patés and other gourmet delights.

In keeping with popular eating trends out of Europe and New York, the new menu will feature a shared plate format of fresh seasonal delicious food.

“Visitors will still be able to sample the finest wines from the cellars and receive the wisdom of our knowledgeable sommeliers,” explains Ian.

Menu options in the shared plate format will include:

- Pansooti Pasta with fresh asparagus, olives and lemon (great with a Sauvignon Blanc)

- Lamb’s Kidneys sautéed with mushrooms and Pedro Ximenix

- Or Smoked Eel Croquettes with Horseradish Aioli and a Vegetable Chili, perhaps served with a cos lettuce and pear salad with a walnut and balsamic dressing.

Desserts will include delights such as a Limoncello Tiramisu, traditional Tarte Tartin, and a trio of ice creams, such as bergamot, liquorice and boysenberry and a lime and guava sorbet. A cheese platter is already popular and will continue to be available.

Breakfast options include Ham and Eggs Over Onion Hash with Black Olive Hollandaise or Roasted Muesli with Blueberry Compote and Piako Yoghurt.

An iconic Taupo destination, Scenic Cellars has supplied the many locals and thousands of visitors to Taupo with one of the finest collections of premium local and international wine as well as many wonderful tasting nights, which will all continue in the new “bigger and better” location.

This new venue brings to the neighbourhood an exciting new option in dining complemented with the insight and wine nous Scenic Cellars in known for.

www.sceniccellars.co.nz