Our Dine with Dish Experience at Esther with Nautilus Estate Wines

Reflecting on our recent Dine with dish dinner event at QT Auckland’s Esther with stunning wines from Nautilus Estate...

There must have been something in the water (or maybe it was the Nautilus Estate wine) on 20^th February when we hosted our most recent Dine with dish at Auckland’s Esther restaurant – the evening can only be described as a celebration. A celebration of fabulous food, delicious wines and exceptionally good company.

As guests arrived, they were quickly seated and offered a glass of chilled Nautilus Marlborough Cuvée Brut NV to accompany a promptly served tumbler of Avgolemono, lemon fish soup. dish editor Sarah Tuck then welcomed the enthusiastic crowd before handing over to restauranteur extraordinaire Sean Connolly to talk through the menu, and Andrew Parkinson, the articulate and entertaining Managing Partner of Negociants New Zealand, who ably stepped in to cover for Nautilus Estate General Manager Clive Jones, who was unable to make it due to airline issues. The soup was quickly followed by wildly popular Puff bread with taramasalata, and Baked saganaki, with Greek keflogravera, honey, chilli and oregano. Both were served with Nautilus Albariño 2023. Described as showing ‘fragrant ripe apricots, white blossoms, hints of honeydew melon and orange peel’ on the nose, the wine provided a perfect foil for the rich fried, puffed bread and baked cheese.

Dinner progressed with military precision from the kitchen, and the next course was served - Chargrilled Octopus with parsley, potato and olive salsa, Baby cucumbers, and Spanokopita accompanied by The Paper Nautilus Sauvignon Blanc. By the time we were diving into the meltingly tender Coastal spring lamb shoulder, Chargrilled aubergine moussaka, Barrel-aged feta, and Duck fat roast potatoes with Nautilus Clay Hills Vineyard Pinot Noir 2017, laughter and banter were ringing throughout the restaurant.  Sean, Andrew, and Sarah chatted to the animated diners during the evening, and once the Pistachio baklava with rose water ice cream and Nautilus Vintage Rosé 2020 had been devoured, it was clear the evening had been an outrageous success. Dine with dish events are not to be missed – keep an eye out for our next one!