Kumeu River Wines

Kumeu River is one of the predominant Kumeu vineyards, havings its origin in 1944 - known then as San Marino Vineyards, started by the Brajkovich family, originally from Croatia.

Although the winery was steadily gaining reputation and status within the industry, it was the late 1970’s and early 1980’s that saw a marked evolution in the style and direction of the winery. In 1979 the winery moved away from the hybrids used for the production of fortified and basic red and white wines to varieties such as Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc. All popular and commonly known varieties today, but these wines were relatively unheard of at that stage, posing a bold and somewhat risky move for the winery.

During the 1980’s Mate Brajkovich's sons, Michael, Milan, and Paul became more involved in the business and the winery took on a new focus; quality and reputation. The winery changed its name to Kumeu River Wines and began producing a Burgundy-influenced style of Chardonnay that featured indigenous yeasts, extended lees aging, and malolactic fermentation. In the years since, the Chardonnays of Kumeu River have gained international awards and accolades.

Just as the Brajkovich family has grown, so too has the winery itself. Extensions and additions mark the milestones that have seen business adapt and expand over the years. Today, the winery produces around 250,000 bottles annually from 30 hectares of its own vineyards in Kumeu, and another 10 hectares from local growers.

The wines of Kumeu River have gained a strong foothold within the international market. The winery’s Chardonnays have received outstanding accolades and are considered world class by a number of international wine commentators, with several vintages of their top label Chardonnay gaining 94 points out of 100.

 



 
 Winemaker Michael Brajkovich MW











Michael Brajkovich was the first New Zealander to gain the prestigious Master of Wine qualification. He is actually an old mate of mine, we having first got to know each other on a cricket field; Michael being a handy opening bat for Kumeu. My wife later worked for many years for a wine wholesaler who were the agent for Kumeu wines and she got to know the Brajkovich family well.

If Michael is around the tasting room, get him talking about the reason behind the change away from '4x2 woody' New Zealand Chardonnays to the minerally, more austere Burgundy style.
And if you really want to get him talking - ask him what was his favourite film in 2011 (the answer is 'Senna'!).

Matua Wines

Matua Valley is about two brothers, Bill and Ross Spence, and their dream of making fine wines when they began in 1974. While they were the sons of a winemaking father, theirs was a winemaking tradition in the old style, one that neither was inclined to follow. Ross had been at the University in Fresno, California, and had experienced the excitement of the California wine innovation, while Bill's time at New Zealand's world famous agricultural University, Massey, had revealed the potential of the country's land. They wanted to make wine in New Zealand that was as good as any in the world.

Ross and Bill began in a ragged tin shed in West Auckland, in 1974. Not exactly salubrious headquarters, but the wines they released from that first vintage, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Burgundy and Gamay Teinturier, immediately placed them amongst the leading group of innovative winemakers. Chardonnay and Gamay Teinturier were not common varieties in New Zealand at that time, and it was the first time Sauvignon Blanc had ever been produced, but they were committed to a new way, and had belief in their ability to make it work.

Within a year the success of these wines was being noted. In 1975, the 'Burgundy' won the first competition trophy for Matua Valley in what has become an illustrious tradition of awards, being made the Champion Red Wine at the Royal Easter Show in Auckland. A less publicised triumph was the impression the Sauvignon Blanc had made amongst the other winemakers, leading to the decision to include large quantities of this variety in the first vineyards to be planted in the now famous Marlborough region. One year out, and Matua Valley were already having an industry wide influence with their innovation and vision. The Spence families needed support, however, for the dream was hungry for capital, and in 1976 a new company, Matua Valley Wines Ltd was formed in partnership with another Auckland family, the Margans.

The new foundation allowed Matua Valley to put down more substantial roots, as benefits a prestige wine producer, and in 1977, 25 hectares of land was purchased in the beautiful green Waikoukou Valley, 35 kilometers west of Auckland city. A new, pentagonal winery was built there, on the crest of a low ridge looking across the valley, and the first steps made towards landscaping gardens and establishing a centre where visitors could be presented with Matua wines in suitable and gracious surroundings.

The Waikoukou Road vineyards were planted with all manner of experimental grape varieties, and the quest for those suitable for making fine wine in New Zealand conditions continued. Greater areas were committed to those varieties that seemed of greatest potential; Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc, but there were also trial blocks of more exotic characters such as Pinot Noir, Semillon and Shiraz.

In the early days, a considerable quantity of Matua Valley's grapes came to the Auckland winery from vineyards in Gisborne, and this region remains the source of many Matua wines, with the established Judd Estate Chardonnay being the most illustrious.

Hawkes Bay too, has vineyards that absorb their viticulturalist and winemaker's time, especially those of the Smith Dartmoor vineyard, which began in 1985.

West Brook

 

 Park-like grounds of West Brook Winery

 

 

 

 

 

 

West Brook is a boutique family-owned winery, established in 1935.

It is a boutique winery that combines traditional winemaking methods complemented by modern winemaking technology. Their estate vineyard is 30 minutes northwest of Auckland in the Waimauku district (just north of Kumeu). As well as growing Chardonnay for their iconic Ivicevich Chardonnay (double gold medal 2004 vintage), they also have planted Pinot Gris, Malbec and Pinot Noir (gold medal 2007 vintage). The estate vineyard has a unique microclimate that differs from other Auckland areas by up to 5 degrees Celsius.

The wines marketed under the West Brook label are produced to reflect true varietal character and their unique regional origins. They are wines that can be enjoyed early but can be cellared confidently. Without exception they are premium quality, have won numerous awards and represent great value for money.

Principals:

Anthony Ivicevich (Managing Director) oversees production, winemaking, export and domestic sales

Susan Ivicevich (Director) manages winery accounts, cellar door and exports

Linton Ivicevich (son) manages the vineyard and maintenance of winery and vineyard equipment

The family believes passion is one of the greatest ingredients in making wine, as well as attention to detail.

Coopers Creek

Founded in 1980 by Andrew and Cynthia Hendry when the New Zealand wine industry was small and relatively unknown, Coopers Creek Vineyard has grown and matured over three decades into a top class winery.

It continues to innovate, particularly with new wine styles, introducing and pioneering promising new grape varieties that are ideal for cool climate regions. Viognier, Albariño, Arneis, Grüner Veltliner, Marsanne and Montepulciano are new varieties for New Zealand, but show great potential. Coopers Creek is satisfying a growing demand for these stylish varieties in addition to its longstanding pedigree with Chardonnay, Syrah and Bordeaux reds.

Coopers Creek offers these new varieties under its SV (Select Vineyards) range, in addition to wines that are established performers such as Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. The top level Reserve tier offers wines of impressive stature, including the iconic Hawkes Bay Swamp Reserve Chardonnay. Supporting the Reserve and SV ranges is the Classics series, affordable wines that are attractive, fruit-driven styles and widely available in New Zealand and international markets.