Gong Li and Gordy -- The Miniature Belted Galloway Cattle

by Sam Neill

Gong Li, left, and Gordy are about the height of your average Labrador dog.

Mike Wing, viticulturist and organics enthusiast, is a big believer in cow manure as enormously efficacious in the vineyard (along with our comprehensive composting programme, and so on).

So, for some time, the Proprietor was under the pump to
purchase some cattle, something he was reluctant to indulge, not having any particular affinity with cows. None at all.

Until the day Mike found these miniature Belted Galloway cattle from the Nelson area. At this point the Prop gave up the struggle and fell in love.

They arrived mid winter 2011, and walked in as if they owned the place. Their relaxed demeanor may have something to do with their companions Sweater the Scary Sheep, who grew up with Gong Li -- the two are inseparable -- and the milking cow, Lady Shakira Caine, who mistakenly sees the two as calves, and has adopted them. Well, an easy mistake, they are only about 3 ft tall (one metre) -- sort of hobbit cattle.

Those who are familiar with the bestiary know that we only name animals after people we admire, so Gong Li is named after the wonderful and beautiful Chinese movie star Gong Li. When someone said they thought a Chinese woman might not be too flattered to have a cow named for her we were a little anxious. But, too late ... Gong Li she is, and we can only hope the film star Gong Li takes it well ... let it be said we LOVE the great Gong Li here at H.Q.

Gordy is ... well just Gordy. He looks like a cross between a cow and a panda bear.