Thank you for taking the time to get to know us and share our dream!
My name is Dave and along with my wife Pam, we are responsible for creating what is now known as Kina Beach Vineyard and Kina Beach Wines.
You may not have heard of Kina Beach ... and if not then you must put it on your list of places to visit. It is an idyllic hideaway in Tasman Bay at the top of the South Island of New Zealand, about two thirds of the way from Nelson to Motueka. I know we are biased ... but it really is a special part of the world.
We found our wonderful 6 h.a. property after a 10 year search all over NZ for a very specific site to grow world class Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. At the time it was planted in apples and pears, which had a loyal local following for their crispness and flavour ... which was a good start. After purchasing in 1997, we quit our jobs in Auckland, moved south, and started living the dream!
The reason for choosing the land over others which we had looked at (over 50 in all the best Chardonnay and Pinot Noir growing areas in N.Z.), was that Kina Beach was the first that met all of the 10 criteria that we had established. The list is too detailed to note here, but included the obvious: north facing slopes, free draining warm site, low rainfall in late summer, excellent soil type (the famous Moutere clay/gravels), ... then the not so obvious: "close to a large body of water", which we felt would slow down ripening and improve fruit acid levels.
The other reasons for our choice of land will be obvious when you come to visit. To the East there are the most stunning views across what is normally a sun-sparkling Tasman Bay as far as D'Urville Island and and to the West an ever changing view of the Moutere Inlet that looks like a painting at sunset.
So with our perfect site, we set to work. In 1998, ten thousand vines were planted by hand after the orchard was removed, half of Pinot Noir and the remainder Chardonnay, Merlot and Sauvignon Blanc. Hard work followed and in 2003, right on cue, our first Kina Beach Vineyard wine was released.
Since then, we are very proud to say that our Kina Beach wines have won many silver and gold medals, 5 star ratings and awards and there are a small hand-chosen group of fine restaurants throughout New Zealand who stock our wines with pride.
You can also taste our wines on the vineyard (enjoying the views) by contacting us to book your own private wine tasting.
And why not stay amongst the vines that produce such wonderful wine? We also have a luxury converted schoolhouse that is nestled on the vineyard and is available for private bookings.
Share our dream and taste our wines; we promise that you will be amazed!
Kina Beach wines ... a taste of our place!
