Matakana Winegrowers Group Formed

Matakana Winegrowers Inc

Matakana’s first ever grape growing and winemaking group formed

Representatives of the different winemaking and grape growing businesses from the Matakana region met recently at Ransom Wines to form “Matakana Winegrowers Incorporated”.

This is the first time an official organisation has been established to represent the interests of winegrowers in this burgeoning wine region less than an hour north of Auckland. 27 vineyards in the area have now formally joined the group.

“We are a diverse region in every respect”, says inaugural President Robin Ransom, “and we want to share that with people who enjoy wine, and the thousands of visitors who explore the area each year. From grape varieties to cellar door personalities, and from winemaking styles to marketing philosophies, there is a wide range of approaches to be found. The results are authentic, high quality experiences and many exciting vinous surprises for our customers!”

The area has seen a great deal of winegrowing investment in recent years. It has also enjoyed several important accolades for wines made from varieties that include Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sangiovese, Malbec, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, and Viognier all grown on hillside vineyards of free draining, iron-rich granular Matakana clay in a sunny, maritime climate.

“Winegrowing and wine tourism are now very significant contributors to employment and the region’s economy,” says Robin. “One of our first goals is to survey members to ascertain exactly the magnitude of that contribution. Until now there hasn’t been “one voice” to represent our interests, particularly with respect to compliance issues, but that will change with the formation of Matakana Winegrowers”.

Sixteen members of Matakana Winegrowers have updated the excellent “Matakana Wine Trail” brochure, which can be obtained from www.matakanawine.com and the group has close ties with the region’s premium promotional brand “Matakana Coast Wine Country” (www.matakanacoast.com).

“It is an exciting time in Matakana”, says Robin, “and this has been led to a large extent by the persistence, vitality and energy of Matakana’s wine industry. The time was ripe for the establishment of Matakana Winegrowers, and we believe that the organisation will boost the momentum to produce high quality wines that demonstrate Matakana’s unique place in the sun, and increase awareness and enjoyment of our wines within the wine drinking community”.

Founding members of Matakana Winegrowers include –

Hyperion, Ransom Wines, Ascension, Contour Estate, Matakana Estate, Providence, The Castle Matakana, Herons Flight, Ti Point, Gillman Vineyard, Omaha Bay, Puriri Flat, Saltings Estate, Hawks Nest, Greve, Courage Creek, Brick Bay, Old Mill, Hurstmere House, Hinemoa Estate, Takatu, Whitmore Wines, Merryfields, Hinchco Family Vineyard, Coxhead Creek, Mahurangi Estate, and Atakama Wine Workshop.

ENDS

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