Growing wine against the odds
The views may be the star attraction at Okurukuru, but winemaker Mark Sim works hard to produce wine to match.
The Okato man, who began working at Okurukuru during his university holidays, has been its winemaker for about 10 years.
Grapes were first planted in 2002 and the first wine, a rose, was produced in 2006. In 2012 the first vintage was made on site – prior to that grapes had been sent away to be made into wine.
Mark says the location may be stunning, but it’s far from ideal for growing grapes.
“It’s a really harsh coastal environment, it’s not quite warm enough and it’s a little bit too wet so you have to find just the right variety that can handle all those things and still make decent fruit,” he says.
“The hard part has been finding what works here and so far we’ve got a variety called Plantet which works really well.” For years the Plantet was believed to be a different variety called Pinotage. Last year the vines were sent to be DNA tested which revealed they were in fact the hybrid Plantet, a red wine variety created by French physician and grape breeder Albert Seibel. Mark is aware of one other small plot of Plantet in New Zealand and says no one is really sure how it got here. He describes Plantet as relatively light and delicate – “not a big heavy red like a Cabernet Sauvignon”.
Mark has replaced some of the original plants with aromatic wines including Gewurztraminer, Albarino and Pinot Gris. Shelter belts are being grown but in the meantime the plants remain at the mercy of nature. Chris says 2014 was an exceptional vintage then came two years where they didn’t get a harvest due to the weather. With the next harvest due around April, November was a critical time. A strong southerly as the vines were about to flower would have been devastating. But the team are philosophical about the risks.
“It’s out of your control and if it doesn’t happen, well, it doesn’t happen,” Chris says.
The Okato man, who began working at Okurukuru during his university holidays, has been its winemaker for about 10 years.
Grapes were first planted in 2002 and the first wine, a rose, was produced in 2006. In 2012 the first vintage was made on site – prior to that grapes had been sent away to be made into wine.
Mark says the location may be stunning, but it’s far from ideal for growing grapes.
“It’s a really harsh coastal environment, it’s not quite warm enough and it’s a little bit too wet so you have to find just the right variety that can handle all those things and still make decent fruit,” he says.
“The hard part has been finding what works here and so far we’ve got a variety called Plantet which works really well.” For years the Plantet was believed to be a different variety called Pinotage. Last year the vines were sent to be DNA tested which revealed they were in fact the hybrid Plantet, a red wine variety created by French physician and grape breeder Albert Seibel. Mark is aware of one other small plot of Plantet in New Zealand and says no one is really sure how it got here. He describes Plantet as relatively light and delicate – “not a big heavy red like a Cabernet Sauvignon”.
Mark has replaced some of the original plants with aromatic wines including Gewurztraminer, Albarino and Pinot Gris. Shelter belts are being grown but in the meantime the plants remain at the mercy of nature. Chris says 2014 was an exceptional vintage then came two years where they didn’t get a harvest due to the weather. With the next harvest due around April, November was a critical time. A strong southerly as the vines were about to flower would have been devastating. But the team are philosophical about the risks.
“It’s out of your control and if it doesn’t happen, well, it doesn’t happen,” Chris says.
Plantet Grapes, 14 November, 2019
A taste of Taranaki
The cellar door opens to a lush lawn overlooking the sea, complete with outdoor tables. With its relaxed vibe and superb views, wine tasting is a fantastic way to while away an afternoon. It’s a hit with hen’s parties, with wine available to purchase after the tasting.
Wines include the Okurukuru Plantet and Okurukuru Taranaki Rose, both grown and made on site. There’s also the Okurukuru Sauvignon Blanc and Method Traditionelle NV from sister vineyard Sugar Loaf Wines in Marlborough, owned by Chris and Peter’s daughter Kate.
Okurukuru’s first red and rose bubbles has just been newly released. The grapes were grown and fermented on site then sent to Marlborough to be turned into sparkling wine.
The cellar door is open from 9am to 5pm weekdays and there are plans to open weekends over summer. Platters are available.
Wines include the Okurukuru Plantet and Okurukuru Taranaki Rose, both grown and made on site. There’s also the Okurukuru Sauvignon Blanc and Method Traditionelle NV from sister vineyard Sugar Loaf Wines in Marlborough, owned by Chris and Peter’s daughter Kate.
Okurukuru’s first red and rose bubbles has just been newly released. The grapes were grown and fermented on site then sent to Marlborough to be turned into sparkling wine.
The cellar door is open from 9am to 5pm weekdays and there are plans to open weekends over summer. Platters are available.
