Marlborough vineyard with growth opportunities goes up for sale
A respected Marlborough vineyard producing award-winning sauvignon blanc grapes has been placed on the market for sale.
Located in the Awatere Valley, the vineyard is owned by the Van Asch family who are well-known for farming in the region
for 150 years.
After spending more than a decade creating the vineyard from bare land and building up the business, the owners have
decided the time is right to move on. The freehold property has been placed on the market with Bayleys by negotiation,
with a closing date for offers of April 22.
“After achieving their goals, it was now time for a new owner to take over and realise their own vision for the
vineyard,” said John Hoare of Bayleys Blenheim, who is marketing the property with colleague Kurt Lindsay.
Located southeast of the Wairau Valley, the Awatere Valley experiences a cooler, drier and windier growing season than
other locations, creating a later ripening crop and longer growing season. The fertile stony and sandy loam soils are
also perfectly suited to growing grapes, said Mr Hoare.
The vineyard, is located at 1803 Redwood Pass Road, comprises four separate adjoining titles divided between Little
Oasis Vineyard Limited and Stafford Creek Estate Limited, totaling 50.7 hectares. Of these, 23 hectares produce
sauvignon blanc grapes, with the balance made up of bare pasture land.
“This is an opportunity for an investor to take over a successful business currently producing more than 300 tonne of
Sauvignon Blanc grapes per year, which is being supplied to and producing award-winning wines by Delegat Wine Estate and
Astrolabe Wine Limited.
All 2015 grape production is currently being supplied to Marlborough-based winemakers, allowing a new owner the option
of purchasing the property after the 2015 harvest with or without a future grape supply agreement.
“A new owner would have the benefit of taking over an established vineyard within a prospering wine industry. They could
step in and take over the existing vineyards immediately commencing the new season and retaining the total 2016
harvest,” said Mr Hoare.
“There is also capacity to develop 14 hectares of pasture land into an additional vineyard development of up to 11
hectares of grapes – potentially in different grape varieties. This is the perfect opportunity for someone with a
passion for wine and winemaking.”
The vineyard has been producing 12-13 tonne/hectare long term yield and the harvest to date for 2015 is showing similar
yields.
Improvements made to the property include improvements to the vines and trellis, pump shed, pump facilities, electric
power supply, and to the staff amenities shed/workshop.
The property is being sold with a 680 cubic metre A Class water right and irrigation supply from the adjoining Awatere
River.
A significant number of individual grape growers and New Zealand-based wineries have already expressed an interest in
the property, said Mr Hoare.
As New Zealand’s premier wine region, Marlborough produces 77 percent of the national total wine production. It is
internationally recognised for the quality and distinct flavours of its varieties, and produces what many critics regard
as the world’s best sauvignon blanc, said Mr Hoare.
This Awatere Valley vineyard shows it has the right characteristics to produce premium wines – given its fertile soil,
land developed for grape/vine production and an ideal microclimate.”
“This distinctive property offers exciting opportunities to take over an established business and for future growth and
expansion, allowing a new owner to individualise the property in their own way,” said Mr Hoare.
ENDS