Boutique winery with three vineyards, other extras

Media Release

Boutique winery with three vineyards and other extras expected to attract strong interest

20 June 2008 – An award-winning boutique Hawke’s Bay winery, cellar door and vineyard for sale with two additional vineyards, a house and other optional extras available as part of the deal is expected to attract a wide range of offers when tenders close next month.

Situated mid-way between Taradale and Puketapu in prime Hawke’s Bay wine country, Moana Park Winery and Cellar Door is on the market for the first time since it was established in 2000 by local winegrower Ron Smith, a industry veteran who planted his first vines in 1979 and more than two decades and 200,000 vines later began producing wines under his own label.

Being marketed by Tony Bailey from Harcourts Hastings office, the state-of-the-art winery, which last year crushed and pressed approximately 400 tonnes of grapes for itself and other wineries, is located on Home Block, an 11ha piece of land on Puketapu Road which is planted in Sauvignon, Muscat and Chardonnay varietals.

As Mr Bailey explains, in addition to the winery, which comes with an abundance of plant and office space, Home Block also includes an American barn-style purpose-built cellar door/office building, an implement shed and a large commercial workshop with a long-term lease in place.

Also up for sale by tender are two nearby vineyards, both with sustainable winegrowing accreditation. The two additional blocks, one of which is in the prized Gimblett Gravels wine-growing district, are each planted in a range of varietals and are 20.5ha and 6.26ha respectively.

In addition there is the option to purchase a spacious two-bedroom home with garaging that includes an additional bedroom and an office. Located next door to the winery, the house and garage are on a 5872m2 title with excellent views of the Home Block vineyard.

The “Moana Park” brand is also part of the proposition along with a considerable amount of machinery available as part of the tender process or subsequently in a special auction.

“It’s not often a package like this comes up grabs,” Mr Bailey says. “Not only is an award-winning, modern winery and brand with a range of associated buildings and plant for sale, so to is three
proven vineyards, a lovely home and a considerable amount of machinery. Given all of the possible combinations we’re expecting a wide range of offers,” he says, “from people interested in the whole lot right through to those interested in just one lot.”

A well-established winery, Moana Park currently produces a range of wines under its own label for domestic and international consumers using about 20% of the grapes from the three vineyards that make up the current operation, with the balance of the harvest being sold to other wineries, says owner Ron Smith, who after nearly 30 years in the wine industry is now looking to try something new.

In addition, the award-winning winery presses and crushes grapes for many other wineries around the district and further afield and also produces wines onsite for other labels. This contract work, which includes a significant portion of ongoing repeat business, accounts for about 50% of the wineries output, he says.

Moana Park has been consistently rewarded for the quality of its wines. Since 2000 94 mentions have been made of its wine varieties through numerous events and magazines, in addition wines grown on its vineyards and bottled for other brands have fetched various outstanding awards.

Popular with locals and visitors to Hawke’s Bay, including receiving regular busloads of international tourists, Moana Park offers tastings and wine sales year-round and according to Mr Smith there’s definitely potential on the beautiful site to expand the tourism and hospitality aspect of the business.

Tenders for the five titles that make up the current Moana Park operation close at noon on 17 July. For more information visit www.harcourts.co.nz ID# R080526 and www.moanapark.co.nz

ENDS

Editor’s Notes: Recent acclaim for Moana Park winery includes:
2007 Vineyard Selection Sauvignon Blanc recommended by MW Bob Campbell
2007 Vineyard Selection Sauvignon Blanc Bronze 2007 Bragato Conference
2007 Vineyard Selection Viognier 4 stars from Cuisine magazine
2007 Vineyard Selection Viognier Best Value Viognier according to Cuisine magazine
2007 Vineyard Tribute Wild Ferment Chardonnay 5 stars F & B magazine
2007 Vineyard Selection Chardonnay recommended Peter Saunders 4.5 stars
2007 Vineyard Selection Syrah 4 Stars from Cuisine magazine
2007 Vineyard Selection Syrah Best Value Syrah in NZ market according to Cuisine magazine
2005 Vineyard Tribute Syrah top 5 listing Australasia Gourmet Traveller
2006 Vineyard Tribute Merlot Gold Royal Easter Wine Show

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