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OKURUKURU TARANAKI WINERY
Okurukuru Winery Timeline
Okurukuru Winery enjoys spectacular coastal views, from the vines rolling down to the rugged Taranaki coastline and across the stunning Tasman Sea. There is approximately 7 acres planted, with Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Pinotage, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling and Chardonnay.
Some of the vines have struggled with the weather extremes and the harsh coastal winds. It is still very much experimental, especially with the vines below the restaurant.
Okurukuru is owned by Peter and Chris Hayward, who live locally, just around the corner. It is a father / daughter venture, with Kate Acland based in Marlborough, who owns the Sugar Loaf Winery, and is the wine maker for both Okurukuru and Sugar Loaf companies. The wines we stock in the restaurant are from fruit grown in Taranaki as well as Gisborne, Hawkes Bay and Marlborough. We do not grow enough grapes on site at present to sustain the demand in the Restaurant. Hopefully in time we will.
The wines have developed over time and are improving year after year.
The Okurukuru label is only available from the restaurant and online through our website at the moment, however, we are starting to be stocked in a number of Taranaki venues Whereas the Sugar Loaf label is also available in some New World Supermarkets in New Zealand.
2001 - The first vines were planted with the oldest vines being up towards the roadside.
Summer 2003/04 - Okurukuru Winery Restaurant was opened
2006 – First Vintage - a Rose which was fresh, and intensely fruit driven
2007 - The extreme weather patterns caused the flowers to fall from the vines, hence no fruit was produced.
2008 - We had a harvest of pinotage grapes, which was blended with the larger 2009 harvest
2010 - The 2010 vintage is smooth, earthy and easy to drink
2011 - We had our biggest harvest to date 8 tonnes – half of which has been made into a rose and half that is currently in barrel, waiting to be bottled as a full red
2012 - A big storm around 6 weeks before harvest which blew 75% of the grapes off the vines. For the first few harvests, the grapes were picked then sent down to daughter Kate at Sugar Loaf Wines for her to process, however, 2012 saw the introduction of equipment to press the grapes, so just the juice was sent to Marlborough, with the eventual hope that full production can take place on-site in the near future.
2013 – Another great harvest, similar in amount to 2011.
Taste our Wines!
Would you like a wine tasting evening?
Do you have a wine or social club? Are you having a party and would like to add something a little different? Contact Us
Would you like to stock our wines?
Arrange a tasting and we can supply you with favourable wholesale prices. Contact Us
What’s On
Okurukuru Wines sponsor the WITT Nestle Toque d’Or team at the National Culinary Fare - They will be using our Taranaki Pinotage with their main course.
