While some of you might take the post title to have other meanings since it is new year’s eve, we are being quite literal. Check out this photo…where in the world are we?

Hit the comments with your thoughts. The big reveal will follow soon!

We haven’t done one of these for a while. But a site reader thought he could stump everyone with this shot from his travels (click to enlarge). As a clue, he writes “while this vineyard is in among the more picturesque parts of the region, it’s by no means the part of the region you go to to find the best wine.”

Details to follow! But in the meantime, where in the wine world was he?

UPDATE: Good guesses! The picture comes from kiwi lover Eric Arnold, author of First Big Crush: The Down and Dirty on Making Great Wine Down Under, who sent in the picture along with this commentary, satellite imagery, and a map! He writes:

“It’s a marginal piece of land at best. It’s out by Rarangi, toward the coast, which is a tiny dirty-hippie beach community; so it’s pretty sandy over there–nothing like the stony, minerally heart of the Wairau Valley. The highest-quality vineyards of Marlborough are about 10km inland from here, and on the south side of the river. While I’m not sure exactly what wines come from this specific vineyard, I do know that some of the grapes for Monkey Bay also come Rarangi. So I would say that while this vineyard is in among the more picturesque parts of the region, it’s by no means the part of the region you go to to find the best wine. The beach isn’t so bad, though….”

Click to view satellite image

The big red box is where most of the Sauvignon Blanc is grown in Marlborough. The small red box is this vineyard.

Thanks for playing. Send in your photos if you have a good one from your travels!

We haven’t done one of these for a while. So when I saw this photo today in a producer’s presentation, I thought it was about time. (Click to enlarge)

Hit the comments with your thoughts. Guess correctly by 11:59 PM (wherever you are) on Thursday and you will be entered into a drawing for a signed copy of my new book, A Year of Wine: Perfect Pairings, Great Buys, and What to Sip for Each Season.

Hit the comments with your caption!

(click photo to enlarge; via reddit, ht Mark)

Where in the wine world was this picture taken? If you’ve found this hard in previous editions, now you have a greater chance since there are two right answers!

According to the photographer, the small road down the middle of the vineyard is actually the line between two significant wine regions. So where is this border zone? Hit the comments with your thoughts! No prizes this time, just glory!

UPDATE: Check here for the answer.

And we’re back with a “where in the wine world” photo! This photo is from harvest time, just last week somewhere in the wine world. But where was it? Feel free to show your powers of deduction for partial credit.

Further details to be revealed later…Send in your photo if you think you can stump us.

UPDATE: Yes, Martin nailed it! He must read Peter Liem’s fine blog, where I found this excellent photo and reproduced it with his permission. Check out his photos from Rene Geoffroy and more since he lives in Champagne!

Have your say in the comments!

No prize this round–just our admiration!

A reader sent in this photo from his trip to the region in February. Where in the wine world was he? As a sort of hint, he said this vineyard was planted in a long-dormant volcano.

UPDATE: Adam is correct! This photo is from the Golan Heights where site reader Avi Hein said that he saw this vineyard of gewurztraminer! He wasn’t sure which winery it belonged to but I thought it was a cool picture to see this off-the-beaten path region. You can check out other photos from his time there on Flickr.

Where in the wine world is this moldy cellar? Hit the comments with your thoughts!

Wine critic and blogger Wolfgang Weber sent in this picture from his travels. Where in the wine world was he? Hit the comments with your thoughts!

Jeff, a site reader, sent in this photo from, yes, the wine world! What’s your caption for this photo? Hit the comments!

Full story to be revealed later. UPDATE: Congrats, Victor! He guessed the story correctly! Dutchman Ilja Gort, owner of Chateau la Garde in Bordeaux and Tulipe Wines, has insured his nose with Lloyd’s of London for $8 million. Robert Parker, who has a mere $1 million policy on his palate, move over! According to the AP, “Gort says his nose is essential to produce top quality wines. The insurance policy covers the loss of both his nose and his sense of smell.”

Check out this gnarly old vine. Where was I when I snapped this pic?

This was sent in from a reader (identity to be revealed later, with gratitude). Where in the wine world was he with that red earth?

Hit the comments with your thoughts. And send in a photo from your travels if you think you can stump us!

UPDATE: Here’s the commentary from Beijing Boyce: “China has something like 500 wineries spread throughout the country, from the far north to the deep south. The winery pictured is in a province famed for its red soil, its consistent climate, and for its long history of growing grapes from vines originated in France…In December, I visited Yunnan Wine Company in southwest China (considered the site of “Shangri La” by some).”

Check out Jim “Beijing” Boyce’s group blog, Grape Wall of China–for the latest news and humor from this fast-growing wine market. Thanks for the photo, Jim!

A reader writes in: “I’m flipping through the channels and “The Jerk” (Steve Martin) is on… and there’s a scene with him pulling wine from dispensers. Lafite 66!”

Funny image indeed! (Note wine glass in top left corner.) Hit the comments with your caption!

This photo comes from site reader Jennie along with her own rant:

I have been composing a blog ever since I took that pic re the manifest lack of thought in the architecture. Whoever is responsible should be SHOT! They go on and on about the 360 panoramic views (which there are outside) and yet the tasting room has one “picture” window with one table in front of it and aside from that you’re sipping your tasting glass on bar stools either looking at the wall or looking at the bartender – I mean REALLY. Don’t you often think the world would be a better place if you ruled it?!

In a follow up email, she admitted to not really having her own blog. Too bad!

So, where in the wine world was she? UPDATE:

Yes, Jennie was on the island of Waiheke, New Zealand, at Te Whau winery. Congrats to Terry, Morton, Craig, and Kelly who got very close and Paul and Jeffrey who nailed it!