What do you think?
Rate this book
Dot: Queen of Riverstone Castle
Dot Smith describes herself as ‘a woman’s dream and a man’s nightmare!’ The exuberant 60-something, sporting bright pink flourishes in her hair, is the Grande Dame of the Riverstone complex, situated just north of Oamaru. It includes the award-winning restaurant, Riverstone Kitchen, Dot’s giftware shops, oceans of naturally grown vegetable and flower gardens and much more.
Dot and her husband Neil moved to Riverstone over 30 years ago, when it was still ‘a gravel pit’. Now, after years of hard yakka, they own six dairy farms running over 4000 cows. And greenfingered, clever and eccentric Dot is soon to become the queen of her own castle — a magnificent building project set on an island at Riverstone. It’s complete with dungeon, drawbridge and towers.
In Dot: Queen of Riverstone Castle Dot Smith tells of growing up on a small dairy farm north of Auckland; the struggle she and Neil had in their early days of farming; the effects of both Rogernomics and the dairy boom; and the travels that inspire her gardening, cooking and retailing.
And, of course, she writes about the biggest adventure in her life to date — building a castle.
Dot and her husband Neil moved to Riverstone over 30 years ago, when it was still ‘a gravel pit’. Now, after years of hard yakka, they own six dairy farms running over 4000 cows. And greenfingered, clever and eccentric Dot is soon to become the queen of her own castle — a magnificent building project set on an island at Riverstone. It’s complete with dungeon, drawbridge and towers.
In Dot: Queen of Riverstone Castle Dot Smith tells of growing up on a small dairy farm north of Auckland; the struggle she and Neil had in their early days of farming; the effects of both Rogernomics and the dairy boom; and the travels that inspire her gardening, cooking and retailing.
And, of course, she writes about the biggest adventure in her life to date — building a castle.
304 pages, Paperback
First published April 17, 2014
About the author
Dot Smith
5 books2 followersDot Smith farms with her husband Neil in the Waitaki Valley, North Otago. Starting with selling dried flowers in the implement shed, Dot has expanded Riverstone into a visitor and retail destination, where thousands of visitors each year enjoy the eclectic retail experience, Dot's magnificent gardens and the terrific, award-winning food at Riverstone Cafe, run by her son Bevan.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
April 22, 2025
I read this book after getting it in an airport in Australia, I think. This was in maybe 2012? I still think about this book, it's 2025. I can't even find the book to buy now. If you are looking to level up, Dot's attitude is what you need. A raw determination to turn the little you have into ownership of (literally or figuratively) rocky useless soil ownership, and then to till, use other people's garbage, and remove rocks until the soil is gold.
Dot's life is an example of a mindset every entrepreneur, farmer, environmentalist, and politician needs to learn.
Bring this book back and contact me, please, if you want someone to back your book, Dot!! Lizz Flowers in Montana. Find me on LinkedIn! [sharing email = spam from all of y'all]
Dot's life is an example of a mindset every entrepreneur, farmer, environmentalist, and politician needs to learn.
Bring this book back and contact me, please, if you want someone to back your book, Dot!! Lizz Flowers in Montana. Find me on LinkedIn! [sharing email = spam from all of y'all]
October 8, 2020
Well I finished it and I have to admit Dot Smith must be an amazing lady. She sounds like someone who gets stuff done and I really enjoyed hearing the stories from when she was a young girl. That being said, I kind of lost steam about ¾ through.
Read
January 5, 2026A lady with lots and lots of energy and determination. Will visit the castle when next in the area but I don't want to be her. That kind of busyness is exhausting. Including the recipes did nothing for me but an interesting read all the same.
October 2, 2020
What an amazing woman! I definitely want to visit Riverstone Castle and all the other aspects of her creativity - garden, restaurant, farm, shop etc.
May 10, 2021
Fabulous story. What an amazing woman. Such energy. Made me tired reading it. Her castle tour is a must!
December 29, 2021
What an interesting life.
July 11, 2022
Will have to make sure Riverstone is on the 'to visit' list next time we're down south.
January 17, 2016
This book will either inspire or exhaust you!! Dot is quite irrepressible, and this totally charming account of her life will leave you with a smile.
The name Riverstone is synonymous with the award winning Riverstone Kitchen, but many people may not know that the restaurant is situated on Bevan Smith's parents' farm, developed by his very hard working mother and father. The land was the only farm available when Dot and Neil were looking for land in the early '80's.
Dot's latest project is the fulfilment of a lifelong dream, to live in a castle, and the book closes with details of this amazing grand design.
The name Riverstone is synonymous with the award winning Riverstone Kitchen, but many people may not know that the restaurant is situated on Bevan Smith's parents' farm, developed by his very hard working mother and father. The land was the only farm available when Dot and Neil were looking for land in the early '80's.
Dot's latest project is the fulfilment of a lifelong dream, to live in a castle, and the book closes with details of this amazing grand design.
October 21, 2014
When does this woman sleep???
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews