Top winery goes on the market

Award-winning Hawke's Bay winery Askerne Estate has been placed on the market for the first time by one of the Bay's most prominent businessmen.

John and Kathryn Loughlin established their Havelock North winery on Te Mata Mangateretere Rd in 1993.

The 11ha of bare river terraces is well situated, backing on to the Tukituki River reserve.

Askerne has grown in size and reputation and today comprises 20ha planted with 35,863 vines in 13 varieties of grapes.

Since the first wines were produced in 1996, Askerne has achieved significant success particularly with Gew?rztraminer, chardonnay, sauvignon blanc, and noble semillion from the same vintage.

More than 258 tonnes of fruit has been produced over the past three years.

The winery has been a feature of the summer music scene, regularly hosting concerts.

Mr Loughlin said it was time to start a new chapter in life.

"It has been our baby for 19 years and with what I've done in the business world I've been working seven days a week, as has my wife Kathryn."

He is a professional company director involved with Zespri, Centralines, Tru-Test Corporation, Firstlight Foods NZ, Metlifecare, Port of Napier and AgResearch.

"You can only do that for so long," Mr Loughlin said.

"In the last few years we have had a few bereavements in the family. It makes you reflect on life and nobody ever died wishing they had worked harder.

"We decided it was time to enjoy ourselves and move on."

Marketing the vineyard is Bayleys Napier country/viticulture manager Glyn Rees-Jones.

"This is a superb opportunity to take on a highly regarded integrated viticulture business with a well-known and established brand," he said.

"Askerne wines have achieved a strong track record of success over 15 vintages, including three trophies and 16 gold medals."

Buildings included in the sale are the 435sq m winery building with additional 243sq m canopy linking the winery to the 221sq m cellar door. The cellar includes a 32.5sq m chiller, kitchen, storeroom, cool room and bedroom.

Three containers on the property provide office and storage space.

The dwellings include the 150sq m three-bedroom homestead, complemented by a two-bedroom sleep-out and two-bedroom cottage, which is rented for $295 a night.