The newest member of our Highland Cattle family was born to Ella on August 10th. She’s happy, healthy, and absolutely adorable.
The Highland Cattle are loved by the Te Mata team and visitors alike and help create our biodynamic mixture, which we spray on the soil this time of year. It’s fantastic for soil health – and great for vine growth. Here’s to longer days and fresh beginnings!
Spring has truly arrived in the Te Mata Estate character zone, and the vineyards are bursting with life. Between the vines, a carpet of mustard seed, tick bean, and phacelia is in full flower, bringing vibrant colour to the rows.
‘2021 Te Mata Estate Coleraine – RP 98. The 2021 Coleraine is the third in a trio of great vintages and comprises a blend of 56% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot and 12% Cabernet Franc. The bouquet is all bramble and spice, with fresh grated nutmeg, a hint of star anise, raw cocoa, raspberry seed, cassis, new leather and iodine. There is also a crushed oyster shell aspect here that I find most appealing. This wine is like a star coming into existence—there’s a bang, a burst of light and a settling period—and it’s astoundingly good.’
‘Award-winning Pacific writer Professor Selina Tusitala Marsh ONZM, FRSNZ has been appointed by the Director-General of the Commonwealth Foundation, Dr Anne T. Gallagher AO, to the brand-new, two-year post, placing creative expression at the heart of the Commonwealth’s work. Te Mata Estate founded the NZ laureate position in 1996.’
Amazing to be recognised again among NZ’s Top Wineries for 2025!
Congratulations to our team! This achievement – published by @therealrvw – reflects a profound amount of work. We’re proud be rising through the ranks, building on what we do everyday.
‘Aotearoa produces premium wine that tops the award charts globally. The country’s cool climate and temperate weather conditions are optimal for growing grapes, allowing for the production of distinct flavour profiles and artisanal high quality. For this reason, many wine enthusiasts will have the first of March pencilled in their calendars, and quite rightly so, as it is the annual release of Te Mata Estate’s flagship Coleraine.
Modern Te Mata Estate is led by CEO Nick Buck (pictured) and Senior Winemaker Phil Brodie (pictured below), who oversee our approach to winemaking. Read an insight from former Te Mata Estate Chairman John Buck (CNZM for Services to Wine and the Arts) on why the estate’s meticulous method is so distinctive.
‘Breed, rather than brute power, is the hallmark of Coleraine, estate-grown in the Havelock North Hills and matured in French oak barriques, predominantly new. This notably graceful red is a blend of cabernet sauvignon (80%), merlot (15%) and cabernet franc (5%). Dark and purple-flushed, it is mouthfilling with dense, well-ripened blackcurrent, plum and spice flavours, oak complexity, and a finely structured, very harmonious finish. Best drinking 2030+ (13.5% alc/vol).’ Michael Cooper, The Listener 2025
‘In early 2021, Webb’s Auction House made ‘another record-breaking sale’ for Te Mata wines this time including aged Awatea, Elston, Cape Crest and Zara Viognier as well as Coleraine. But by the end of last year, Coleraine was at it again with one of the first ever 1982 vintages going for a staggering $948. Considering that the original bottle had been sold on the shelves for only $15 – it seems to have proved a pretty good investment!’
Next year is the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand (SWNZ) programme. We are proud to see its success. Te Mata as one of the five wineries to spearheaded by five wineries this in the late 20th century and the first to have vineyards and winery accredited under the system. “The industry leaders were passionate and innovative. They could see the opportunities for an export-focused wine industry. They knew the importance of sustainability to ensure New Zealand wine would be internationally renowned for its premium reputation.”
