There is more to wine tasting in the Matakana region than incredible award winning wines. The combination of art, food and family is a consistent theme and offers many reasons to visit this bustling community not far from Ponsonby.
Some of the fine wines and award-winning craft beers already have a place on local Ponsonby wine lists or upon the shelves of iconic wine and beer merchants like Glengarry. So if you prefer to stay close to home you can still enjoy the flavours and spirit of Matakana without going far. Of course almost all the vineyards and galleries offer online sales direct to the public so it is easy to bring a little of Matakana right to your doorstep. We talked to a few people from businesses in the area to find out what makes this destination a wonderful local getaway for our readers.
Heron’s Flight
Less than an hour from Ponsonby is Heron’s Flight Vineyard, the only vineyard growing solely Italian grapes and producing authentic Italian style wines in the country. Former long-time Herne Bay locals (since 1969) Anne and Dave Hoskins bought north facing land in Matakana in the 80s, inspired by the vineyard endeavours of their neighbours who started Goldwater Estate wines on Waiheke.
For years they nurtured and developed their vineyard business commuting backwards and forwards from their Herne bay home. In 1992 they moved permanently up to Matakana to focus on producing consistently award winning wines. By 1997 they made the bold move to replace all of their vines with sangiovese and dolcetto, cloned from old Italian sangiovese vines from Bologna and dolcetto vines that dated back to the 1800s.
“The Italian winemaking tradition and philosophy deeply aligns with our approach to food, wine growing, and life,” explains Mary. The vineyard operates with organic growing methods and uses locally sourced, sustainable food following slow-food principals. “Our long table lunches and dinners are always sell-out events and are a collaboration with local growers and chefs,” says Mary.
This year Heron’s Flight are celebrating their 30th vintage, a milestone made even more special because it is shared with their children and grandchildren. Since the rise of Covid-19, Mary and David’s son, grandson, and daughter-in-law have returned from San Francisco and with their older son also living on the property it is truly a multigenerational family enterprise.
“This is the first vintage with three generations of Hoskins participating in harvest. Although the youngest, my 2-year-old grandson, may have eaten more than he picked,” laughs Mary.
To know how truly wonderful their wines are and without leaving Ponsonby, you can dine at Gusto Italiano, where Armando is running a Wine of the Month blackboard special with the Heron’s Flight 2018 Volare throughout August.
“The 2018 Volare Sangiovese is the perfect match to authentic Italian pizza and pasta,” says Armando Goci. He suggests trying this impressive Italian style wine with the Pappardelle al ragu meat lover pizza. Other restaurants in the area with Heron’s Flight on their wine list include Sidart and Sid at the French Cafe. www.heronsflight.co.nz
October 30
While a very new label, October 30 has already won a number of awards and stars for its organic Methode Traditionelle and chardonnay wines. “We’re one to watch,” says wine maker Alistair Noakes, who describes October 30 as winemaking inspired by the passionate, mystical sun sign, Scorpio.
Alistair and wife Karen started planting chardonnay, syrah and grüner veltliner vines in 2013 on the 42 hectare BioGro certified organic property.
“Grüner veltliner is an Austrian aromatic variety similar to riesling that we planted for something different,” explains Alistair. “We chose these grapes for their compatibility with our climate, soils and environment. Our aim with the vineyard is to produce wines that are inspired by the influences and flavours of our site while keeping our footprint to a minimum. Everything is grown on this site and all care and attention to the vines is done by us, making this vineyard very boutique”.
All of the October 30 wines are available for tasting at the Vintry, the ultimate spot for tasting just about every wine from the Matakana region. A range of local restaurants also have the wines on their lists and Alistair hopes to have October 30 on wine lists around Ponsonby in the coming months.
“Currently we are in the process of obtaining an off-license so we can get our tasting room operational and start selling wine online.”
October 30 wines like many in the region receive consistently good reviews from the experts. Sam Kim, reviewer for Wine Orbit describes the October 30 Methode Traditionelle as ‘fruit forward and gently fragrant,’ and gives the bubbly a solid 4 stars and a score of 86 out of 100. The Grüner Veltliner 2018 and their 2016 Chardonnay, are also receiving glowing reviews.
From traditional Italian wines to Spanish, French and Austrian varieties Matakana consistently produces excellent wines, according to the President of Matakana Wine Growers Association, Hegman Foster.
“The Matakana climate is warm enough to ripen a wide range of red wine varieties, from French classics, merlot, syrah and cabernet sauvignon to silky Italian varieties, such as sangiovese, dolcetto, nebbiolo, barbera and montepulciano.”
There are around 30 vineyards in the region and many can be visited on the Matakana Wine trail. These include Ascension Wine Estate, Brick Bay Wines, Heron’s Flight, Hyperion Wines, Matavino Wines, Omaha Bay Vineyard, and Runner Duck Estate. Part of what makes this Matakana collective so special is that they are all family owned so when you visit their cellar doors you are most likely to be meeting with the wine makers themselves when you taste and buy their wines.
Sculptureum
Sculptureum is more than just an award winning vineyard, it is a sensory experience almost like no other in Australasia. Designed from the outset to inspire a diverse audience with art not typically found in mainstream galleries, its main purpose is to inspire. If art washes away from the soul, the dust of everyday life (Pablo Picasso) then Sculptureum aims to do that and so much more.
With hundreds of works on display in galleries, sculpture gardens and in the Rothko restaurant, it’s an experience designed to ‘unlock the imagination, fuel creativity and ignite the mind’ according to its founder. Anthony Grant, of Sculptureum explains, “It’s designed to amaze people and make them smile, there is nothing greater than seeing someone have a real interaction with a work and seeing them truly smile.” We asked Anthony if there was a particular piece he thought inspired hope for the future, a question that really got him thinking which is not surprising when there are over 400 works to choose from. There are lithographs by Picasso and Chagall, a rare etching by Cezanne, and an impressive chandelier by the world’s foremost glass artist, Dale Chihurly.
As he should, Anthony pondered the question over a glass of Syrah 2015 from the Sculptureum vineyard (a favourite with dinner). “I wandered into the gallery to reconsider one of my all-time favourite pieces - Hurricane Fly Boy. This piece really elicits a feeling of youthful hope. Racing through the hurricane that has been 2020, this work resonates the difficulties of the recent past and the struggling now, but with vibrant colour and a nuance of expectant future joy still playing in his face.”
A moment in Matakana could easily become several hours at Sculptureum and that doesn’t even include any time at the cellar door.
Rothko restaurant was voted in Metro’s top 50 and serves lunch Thursday to Sunday, or if you are making a weekend trip away to Matakana you could enjoy fireside drinks on a Friday night, and in the weekend be lucky enough to enjoy a personal tour of the gardens and gallery with Anthony Grant himself. www.sculptureum.nz
Brick Bay
Art, wine and food, and genuine passion for hospitality are consistent themes in Matakana, and Brick Bay Vineyard has a pedigree in all. Not only do they produce sustainable and award winning wines but they are also home to one of the country’s most impressive sculpture trails. It is an absolute delight to combine a tasting with a gentle walk along native bush trails filled with the works of some of New Zealand’s most innovative artists. Of course an appetite can easily be worked up so dining at the Glasshouse is the perfect way to refuel and reflect on the works and of course enjoy the wine. Cam, Brick Bay’s Head Chef suggests visitors try the signature Brick Bay lamb dish as it’s farm-reared on-site and a great example of Brick Bay’s farm to table ethos. www.brickbay.co.nz
Artform
Former gallery owner and Ponsonby local, Clare Mora, has relocated to Matakana, connecting the works of local artists with the homes of many.
“We connect objects, sculpture & pieces to your memories of a place & time,” explains Clare, whose long passion for design and art has taken her all over the world.
From her gallery in the hub of Matakana Village, Clare is within easy reach of all the wonderful vineyards, bars and eateries. Her favourite vineyard at the moment is Brick Bay. “Wine & sculptures, how could you go wrong?” says Clare. But I also love Leigh Sawmill, where you can eat and experience great music. Their ‘open mic night’ is huge with local talent.”
When it comes to a Ponsonby favourite Clare always tries to go to Ponsonby Central when she is in town. “I love the variety; it always has exactly what I feel like.”
If you’re visiting Matakana, Clare’s gallery is on Matakana Valley Road in the heart of the village offering some incredible works from a range of talented artists.www.artformgallery.co.nz
But if you need to feed more than your soul and palate, there are some wonderful local therapists and treatments for you to nurture and indulge your body. Vanessa King has recently opened a Matakana branch of her popular Body by Design clinic.
“I love Matakana. It’s got the same strong community vibrancy of Ponsonby with great art, cafes and boutique shops plus it’s got some incredible vineyards and delicious local wines,” says Vanessa. We asked her to choose her current favourite.
“It’s so hard to choose! I try to walk everywhere so I like the places close to me. I love Matakana Market Kitchen, or sitting by the fire at the Vintry Wine Bar. Brick Bay is also lovely, but my next place to try is Rothko at Sculptureum, I hear fantastic things!”
Plume
When it comes to favourites, Plume has long been one of Ponsonby News editor Martin Leach’s top picks and it’s no wonder when the vineyard, the cafe, the restaurant and the accommodation offer an all year round luxury experience.
The Runner Duck Estate vineyard, like many in the area is founded on the principles of following true passions – family, lifestyle and premium wines. A tasting at the cellar door of Runner Duck at Plume Restaurant is called a flight, and after completing it you can easily soar into the restaurant and continue to enjoy great food with superb wines! Farida of Plume recommends the Black Velvet 2013 (Blend) paired with the lamb main and the Albarino 2018 with the fish of the day!
The business people and community of Matakana have a true passion for what they do. When you ask them about their wines, art or food, their enthusiasm, sense of hospitality and desire to share it with people is enormous. Whether it is in the innovative ways they make the cellar door experience memorable or their commitment to bringing wonder and beauty to their guests, Matakana is a great destination for readers to explore and enjoy. https://plumecollections.co.nz/wine-dine/ .