| Rongopai Wines Ltd | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Te Kauwhata has been a well known and established grape growing region since the late 1800's when Italian viticulturist Romeo Bragato sang its praises to the New Zealand government, bringing forth the birth of New Zealand winemaking research.Bragato, under contract as a government viticulturist, saw the potential of Northern Waikato's soft climate, sedimentary soil and gently rolling slopes, which ran down to the picturesque Lake Waikare. In 1902, at Bragato's insistence, the Government Viticultural Research Station was built to overlook this lake, which so reminded Bragato of his native Italy. In the 1930's the Gordon family established Rongopai Wines in Te Kauwhata, named after Te Whare O Te Rongopai; a Maori* meeting house just a few kilometres from the winery. Rongo is the Maori god of peace, and 'Rongopai' is a toast to prosperity and good health. The Gordon's made wine here for about twenty years until just after Lou Gordon's death. In the late 1950's, Rongopai's land was sold. Although the new owners continued growing grapes, the winery languished for almost 25 years until, in 1982, Rongopai was re-established by Tom van Dam. In the vineyards all the old vines were pulled out and replaced with selected grafted stock. Rongopai became the first winery in New Zealand to plant vines on the narrow row spacing so familiar to Europeans, and quickly became known for producing outstanding botrytised and late harvest sweet wines, a reputation which still stands. In 1991 Derek Reid, a Scottish based businessman, invested substantially in Rongopai Wines with an aim to facilitate its' expansion and potential. In 1995 Rongopai Wines bought the Research Station where Bragato's vision was recognised, and where he had given birth to New Zealand winemaking as we know it today. The research station was closed by the New Zealand Government in 1991 and was standing empty. The owners of Rongopai saw the opportunity to move into this spectacular setting. Rongopai Wines was moved into its new home, a huge 1700 square foot building built on three levels, allowing three stages of gravity feeding, and giving the winery the room for expansion of it's production by up to twenty times its current levels. Rongopai now produces wine from various regions in New Zealand including Gisborne, Marlborough and Hawkes Bay, to increase its repertoire of breath-taking award winning wines. Over the years Rongopai built a reputation for its entire selection, especially for its Chardonnay, Sauvignon blanc and Riesling, as well as more recently it's stunning Pinot Noir and its powerful Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Malbec blends, a reputation backed up by numerous medals and awards. The winemaking has been placed in the capable hands of Emmanuel Bolliger, who has numerous Gold Medals to his name. Glengarry Hancocks Limited handles New Zealand national distribution. Rongopai Wines counts among Glengarry's top 5 New Zealand wine brands and receives focus at retail, on-premise, off-premise and corporate levels. Rongopai Wines is moving from strength to strength. One hundred years later and we've recreated Bragato's dream. Visit the winery, buy the wine, order online, just make sure you see why Bragato chose Te Kauwhata, and why we agree with him. |
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| Wines from this Producer | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rongopai Regional Range Merlot | 2002 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rongopai Reserve Gisborne Chardonnay | 2002 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rongopai Reserve Malbec | 2002 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rongopai Reserve Merlot | 2002 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rongopai Reserve Special Late Harvest | 2002 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rongopai Special Late Harvest | 2002 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rongopai Ultimo Merlot | 2002 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rongopai Ultimo Noble Late Harvest | 2002 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rongopai Ultimo Viognier | 2004 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rongopai White Label Chardonnay | 2002 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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