‘West’s First Organic Vineyard’

After three years of hard work and a 'very steep learning curve' Artisan Wines in Oratia is the first vineyard in West Auckland to gain the internationally recognized BioGro organic certification.

Owners Rex and Maria Sunde and their staff are celebrating the arrival of their formal certification which arrived on Friday 6th of May.

“This is a wonderful step forward for us and the whole community” says Rex. “When we planted our vineyard on Parrs Cross Rd in 2005 the whole community seemed to applaud us for our courage, and determination to bring productive horticulture back to Oratia Valley. That goodwill gave us encouragement to start the Oratia Farmers Market which has been a resounding success. The people of Oratia tell us that the market gives them a sense of place and community.”

“From there it just seemed a natural progression to move our vineyards to organic production. It reinforces our desire to improve our environment and ensure that it’s a better place for those who come after us. We now have four vineyards certified organic in the Oratia Valley, producing mostly Chardonnay, Syrah and Viognier.. We have wines listed in some of London’s top restaurants, and expect production of organic wines to open even more doors for us.”

Sunde says the first certified organic wines will come from the 2011 vintage. “That wine is in the tanks and barrels now. These organic wines will be available for the trade through our New Zealand agent Epicurean Wines, and through Artisan’s cellar door and restaurant at Parrs Cross Rd in Oratia.