Nga Waka Winery has purchased the Lismore Vineyard on the Martinborough Terraces, stony ground in the heart of one of New Zealand's smallest wine regions - the Wairarapa.
Nga Waka winery announced this week that it has purchased Lismore Vineyard, an established site on prime real estate in Martinborough - the small town at the heart of the Wairarapa Wine Region.
"It’s a rare opportunity for such a prime site to become available on the Martinborough Terraces, and so, in a positive step in these challenging times, Nga Waka has now expanded their own vineyards to six. Plus, two leased vineyards which gives them a total of 28 hectares under vine in Martinborough," says Nga Waka General Manager Mick Hodson.
Lismore vineyard is synonymous with highly regarded Martinborough wines and is currently in need of investment and strategic thinking to maximise the potential of the soil and site, says Hodson.
The current plantings of Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris will be removed later in 2026, the vineyard gently subjected to some restorative practices, and then replanted in Pinot Noir in 2027 and Syrah, says Nga Waka winemaker Paul Mason.
“It is great to acquire a prime site in the heart of the Martinborough Terraces. This three hectare vineyard has an excellent track record of producing top quality grapes and we are very excited to have the opportunity to own it. The combination of a warm, sheltered site and free draining soils are perfect for producing small quantities of high quality, distinctive wines, in the celebrated Nga Waka style. The potential for planting new varieties, in particular Syrah, is very exciting.”
This long-term project is from a winery that has always had a long-term vision. The new plantings will not produce wine until 2030, something Nga Waka owner Jay Short says is further testament to the three decade old winery’s investment in the region.
“There’s been a great deal of ‘doom and gloom’ reporting of late in regard to the domestic wine industry. However, at Nga Waka, we firmly believe the New Zealand wine industry, and in particular the Martinborough region, has a long and rewarding future and we are keen to keep investing in that. We are all excited to see what these wines will look like in a few years’ time.”
Pictured: Nga Waka winemaker Paul Mason
