There
is a rich wine history in NZ’s Far North region. In 1819 Anglican Missionary the Rev. Samuel
Marsden planted the very first vines in Kerikeri’s rich soils, and in the late
1830s, Official British Resident James Busby produced the first recorded
example of wine made in New Zealand. In
the late 1800s Croatian gum diggers settled in the far north, bringing their
family cultural tradition of winemaking and establishing some of New Zealand’s
firs commercial wineries.
North
of Auckland City there are a few wineries spread along the Island, sprinkled
from Matakana, Mangawhai, Whangarei, and Russell to Kaitaia. Northland is still
a marginal wine region; sub-tropical summer temperatures and humidity make it
difficult to grow many varieties.
We
recently took an opportunity to head up north to stay in Russell for a long
weekend and to explore a few of the wineries in the region.
Omata Estate
Aucks Road
Russell
Ph: 09 403 8007 Web: www.omata.co.nz
Omata is a historic area, purchased from local Maori in 1831, by Captain John Wright. This land was passed down through generations and then in 1994 the land was developed to make today's Omata Estate where Chardonnay, Merlot and Syrah are grown. It is now owned by the Cashmore Family, with winemaking by Rod McIvor and vineyard management by viticulturalist Bruce Soland.
Notable wines – Deux Blanc $27 Blended medium sweet, fruity white wine.
Aucks Road
Russell
Ph: 09 403 8007 Web: www.omata.co.nz
Omata is a historic area, purchased from local Maori in 1831, by Captain John Wright. This land was passed down through generations and then in 1994 the land was developed to make today's Omata Estate where Chardonnay, Merlot and Syrah are grown. It is now owned by the Cashmore Family, with winemaking by Rod McIvor and vineyard management by viticulturalist Bruce Soland.
Notable wines – Deux Blanc $27 Blended medium sweet, fruity white wine.
Marsden Estate
Wiroa Road
Kerikeri
Ph: 09 407 9398 Web: www.marsdenestate.co.nz
Nearly 20 years ago, Rod and Cindy McIvor named their vineyard after Samuel Marsden who planted the first grapes in Northland in 1819. Their vineyards, with 3.5 Ha (9 acres) of vines are planted in Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Merlot, Malbec, Pinotage, Tempranillo and Chambourcin (a French/American hybrid red). Annual production is around 4,000 cases.
Notable wines – Chambourcin $28 Dark and intense with spice and black berry flavours.
Cottle Hill Winery
State Highway 10
Phone: 09 407 5203 Web: cottlehill.co.nz
Californians Michael and Barbara Webb, sailed to NZ aboard their 10 metre yacht from San Diego, and fell in love with the Kerikeri region. They decided to stay on, and established Cottle Hill Winery in 1996. On their home vineyard they grow Chardonnay, Chambourcin and Dolcetto. Gisborne and Hawkes Bay contract growers supply other grapes. The Cellar Door offers spectacular views from the highest peak in Kerikeri.
Notable wines – Tawny Port $28 Classic tawny with rasiny caramel flavours.
State Highway 10
Phone: 09 407 5203 Web: cottlehill.co.nz
Californians Michael and Barbara Webb, sailed to NZ aboard their 10 metre yacht from San Diego, and fell in love with the Kerikeri region. They decided to stay on, and established Cottle Hill Winery in 1996. On their home vineyard they grow Chardonnay, Chambourcin and Dolcetto. Gisborne and Hawkes Bay contract growers supply other grapes. The Cellar Door offers spectacular views from the highest peak in Kerikeri.
Notable wines – Tawny Port $28 Classic tawny with rasiny caramel flavours.
Paroa
Bay Winery
31 Otamarua Road,
Paroa Bay
Russell
Ph: 09 403 7928 Mob: 027 875 1094
Web: www.tarapunga.com/paroa-bay-winery
Paroa Bay winery is part of a large luxury accommodation estate near Russel, with stunning elevated views into the Bay of Islands.
They are associated with organic Urlar Martinborough winery and have some of these for tasting at the cellar door - alongside their own Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay. The cellar door is a simple square modern building, furnished with hot pink lamps and chairs, adjacent to gardens, a lake and a putting green.
Notable wines – Chardonnay $27 Crisp and fruity with light oak.
31 Otamarua Road,
Paroa Bay
Russell
Ph: 09 403 7928 Mob: 027 875 1094
Web: www.tarapunga.com/paroa-bay-winery
Paroa Bay winery is part of a large luxury accommodation estate near Russel, with stunning elevated views into the Bay of Islands.
They are associated with organic Urlar Martinborough winery and have some of these for tasting at the cellar door - alongside their own Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay. The cellar door is a simple square modern building, furnished with hot pink lamps and chairs, adjacent to gardens, a lake and a putting green.
Notable wines – Chardonnay $27 Crisp and fruity with light oak.
Phil
Parker is a wine writer and operates Fine Wine & Food Tours in Auckland
Hi Phil,
ReplyDeleteIt's great to see Northland wines being profiled - it's starting to gain some real traction as a wine area. It was interesting to see you describe it as a marginal area though - sure some varieties will struggle but those that suit the climate are thriving.
In a recent blind tasting of 12 chardonnays by First Glass, Northland wines came in first and second. The syrahs are big and can rival those of Waiheke. Chambo is carving out a real niche up north and the Pinot Gris from there is superb.
Hi Peter,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comment - I guess marginal is a bit strong. It's more a microclimate issue I guess. But yes - some great wines coming from Up North.