Corbans to step away from Ngatarawa after sale

Alwyn Corban, owner and winemaker at Ngatarawa Winery, Hawke's Bay. Photo / Warren Buckland

Mission Estate Winery will acquire Ngatarawa brands as the owners of the Hawke's Bay winery step away from the business.

The sale is due to be complete by June 30

Mission Estate chairman Phil Hocquard said: "We respect the heritage and standing of Ngatarawa in the wine community and value its addition to the Mission brand portfolio.

"This is an exciting move for Hawkes Bay and the industry, representing a new era for Mission."

Alwyn Corban, who owns Ngatarawa with Brian Corban, told the Herald they would be stepping away from the business after the transition period.

"I'm 65 and Brian's 71 so we're getting on in years," Alwyn said.

"It's like succession of the brands, we've built them up, we created good value, and Mission are going to carry on with that," he said.

Peter Holley, the chief executive of Mission Estate said "we're immensely proud of this move as combined we have more than 200 years of winemaking heritage.

"Ngatawara and Mission together provide a complementary and robust offering of the best wines of both Hawke's Bay and Marlborough," Holley said.

Ngatawara was established in 1981 by Alwyn Corban and Garry Glazebrook. Alwyn's cousin Brian become chairman and co-owner in 1998 after the death of Glazebrook.

The winery is recognised as having an establishing role of the Bridge Pa Triangle in Hawke's Bay - one of New Zealand's top wine regions.