Ascension Wine Estate is one of New Zealand’s leading destinations for fine wine and cuisine and is described by Peter Saunders (international wine writer and author of A Guide to NZ Wines) as “the regional star of Matakana”.
This stunning winery is just 40 minutes north of New Zealand’s largest city, Auckland (pop. 1 300 000) in the heart of the beautiful Matakana Coast Wine Country, a region that has fast become recognized for it’s exciting wine, cuisine, art, and stunning coastline.
Ascension handcrafts critically-acclaimed wine from the usual as well as some very unusual grape varieties which are available to taste and purchase at the Cellar Door.
The winery complex includes a spacious vaulted tasting room, outdoor covered courtyard and fireplace, the extremely popular Oak Grill vineyard restaurant, and the winery itself, all inspired by the Spanish Mission architecture of the Californian coast. From your table there are views of vineyards, native bush, and the courtyard which contains a significant potager garden planted with heirloom herbs and vegetables which are picked daily by the chef.
The multi-award winning Vineyard Restaurant has won a coveted NZ Beef & Lamb “Hallmark of Excellence” for the last 6 years running, and while the menu is influenced by cuisine enjoyed by the wine making communities of Europe, only the freshest local New Zealand ingredients and flavours are used.
Recently completed, “The Belfry” at Ascension Wine Estate is a gorgeous Spanish-mission style function centre purpose built for stylish weddings and corporate functions. “The Belfry” can be configured from one to five rooms catering for 3 to 300 guests in fully air-conditioned comfort.
Throughout the year, Ascension hosts a range of special dinners and events as well as large outdoor concerts that range from international pop to jazz to opera.
Ascension is an environmental pioneer, and this commitment to the environment has been acknowledged by receiving a “Green Ribbon” award for Sustainable Business presented by the Minister for the Environment at Parliament.
FEATURES
1) Property size is 18 acres, with over 1600 ft of busy road frontage. Ascension has the best business location in the region by a long shot. 10 acres mature plantings (Merlot, Chardonnay, Viognier, Flora, Malbec, Pinotage). They make about 4000-5000 cases, sold exclusively from the property.
2) Extensive gardens.
3) Consents – Ascension have cornered the market with obtaining the right ‘permissions’ for much more intensive activities (restaurant, concerts, functions etc) than anyone else in the area.
4) No frost or drought risk here. Vines are not irrigated. Bore on the property supplements rainwater for winery, visitor use etc.
5) Excellent infrastructure (3 phase power, internet, roading etc).
6) Buildings (nothing more than 9 years old, about 50% less than 3 years old, all reinforced concrete construction and floors with Italian terracotta tile roof)
7) Winery 2040sqft
8) Office / lab 140sqft
9) Kitchen / restaurant 1960sqft
10) Tasting room / admin 1000sqft
11) Coolroom 445sqft
12) Covered courtyards / pergola areas (outdoor dining) 3095sqft
13) Function facility 6400sqft
14) Tractor shed 850sqft
15) Winemakers residence 1100sqft
16) Open courtyards 8600sqft
17) Total development 25 630 sqft
FIT OUT
18) Hospitality side of the business is fully equipped with modern kitchens, furniture and chattels. Integrated till systems to back office. Same for the tasting room.
19) The new function centre is fully air conditioned and equipped with the latest audio visual equipment.
20) Winery is deliberately basic to provide our own plus some contract red wine making (horizontal screw press, new crusher, must pump, wine pump, tank capacity for around 60T. Currently white wine is made off site, but the winery has been designed to ‘expand’ in the near future. Ascension makes a small amount of cool ferment on site for small batches of white. Barrels stored on site, packaged wine stored off site under contract.
21) Residence – the winemakers cottage is basic – has kitchen, mezzanine bedroom / living, full bathroom, large garage and is only a few years old.
22) Brand, database & systems – over 50 000 visitors per year and growing.. |
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