Matariki Wines Ltd
Matariki's mission is to produce fruit driven wines of elegance and complexity, handcrafted from a tapestry of soils grown in harmony with nature. Matariki is a Hawkes Bay classic wine producer with their main vineyard on the stony soils of prestigious Gimblett Road owned by former New Zealand rugby representative John O'Connor and his wife Rosemary.
On their return to NZ in 1981 from studying wine in Europe, John & Rosemary decided to establish their vineyard on the stony barren soils of Gimblett Rd, recognising this area as having the now proven potential to grow international quality wines. Ever in search of excellence they were not content to start their vineyard with non-phylloxera resistant vines, they established a nursery to develop rootstock. With limited funds and the enthusiasm of youth they lived in a garage on the developing vineyard, - the original "garigistas".
Matariki has evolved from that small beginning in 1981. In 1992 they purchased an additional 170 hectares and from this John carefully analysed the meandering contours of the old Ngaruroro riverbed and matched the soil types to ensure the correct match to the classic wines they wanted to produce. The family has retained 60 hectares of this prestigious sub-region, large enough to be international, small enough to retain all the boutique qualities and hand care they wish to give to their wines. In 1997 with the vineyards now well established, we felt 'ready' to go to the market with the Matariki brand.
Currently 60 hectares are planted in vines, including the Gimblett Road classics of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Syrah. Matariki have also the New Zealand icon Sauvignon Blanc. Other varieties include Chardonnay and Riesling, while small quantities of Pinot Noir have been planted on the more silty soils.
Matariki take great pride in their unique terroir and John and Rosemary firmly believe great wines are made in the vineyard. A long held passion for soils and John's experience as a drainage contractor and viticulturist have enabled Matariki to choose their special vineyard sites. The free draining land was carefully analysed by aerial mapping, digging, mowing and observing the regrowth of vegetation. The underlying river greywacke gravels have been washed in parts with sand, silts and stones of varying depth. While soil maps of the area show the soil types in large blocks, John has identified in greater detail the subtle changes in soil type and matched each to a classic wine variety, giving Matariki its unique tapestry of soils and individual plots from which to handcraft their wines.
Contact
Phone: +64 6 8796226
Fax: +64 6 8796228
Postal
Address: 		52 Kirkwood Road, RD5, Hastings, New Zealand
Delivery
Address: 		52 Kirkwood Road, RD5, Hastings, New Zealand
Staff
Owner: John & Rosemary O'Connor
Manager: John O'Connor
Sales: Kirsty King
Marketing: Rosemary O'Connor
Winemaker: Amelia Bates
Producer Details
Opening Hours: Weekdays 9am - 5pm Weekends 10am - 5pm
Vineyards: 60
Production: 25000
Winery Tours: No
Newsletter: Yes -
Wineclub: No
Sales
Cellar Door: Yes
Internet: Yes
Direct Mail: Yes
Via Retailers: Yes
Wines from this Producer
Matariki Aspire Chardonnay | 2005
Matariki Aspire Merlot Cabernet | 2005
Matariki Aspire Syrah | 2005
Matariki Chardonnay | 2005
Matariki Estate Chardonnay | 2001 | 2000 | 1999
Matariki Late Harvest Riesling | 2002 | 2001
Matariki Merlot | 1999
Matariki Pinot Noir | 2001
Matariki Quintology | 2001 | 2000
Matariki Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon | 2000
Matariki Reserve Chardonnay | 2000
Matariki Reserve charonnay | 2005
Matariki Reserve Merlot | 2000
Matariki Reserve Pinot Noir | 2000
Matariki Reserve Sauvignon Blanc | 2003 | 2002 | 2001
Matariki Reserve Syrah | 2000
Matariki Sangiovese | 2001
Matariki Sauvignon Blanc | 2003 | 2002
Matariki Stony Bay Chardonnay | 2000
Matariki Stony Bay Sauvignon Blanc | 2001
Matariki Syrah | 1999