All change behind the vines at Goldwater Estate

NEW MANAGEMENT TEAM: Jason and Christine Schwarz, Heinrich Storm and Leslie Posey Storm, and Andy and Rachel Black.

After thirty years at the forefront of Waiheke winemaking the island's pioneering vineyard is going back to its roots to re-establish itself as locally owned and managed.

Following two years of negotiations, a deal was signed at the beginning of this month giving three couples – Jason and Christine Schwarz, Heinrich Storm and Leslie Posey Storm, and Andy and Rachel Black – the contract to run the hospitality and vineyard management roles for the winery at Goldwater Estate.

California-based Foley Family Wines purchased the New Zealand Wine Fund which includes Goldwater Estate in 2008.

CEO Bill Foley Jnr discontinued the lease on the Waiheke interests in February this year allowing the Goldwater family to retain ownership and the new management deal to go through.

Spokesman Jason Schwarz says, “We’re all really excited. We now have control over our own destiny.”