I’m sure a collective sigh of relief issued from the mouths of Waiheke Island wine lovers when Goldie Wines was resurrected from the ashes of Goldwater Estate. Kim and Jeannette Goldwater pioneered wine on Waiheke Island with the release of a Cabernet Sauvignon from the 1982 vintage. That wine and the subsequent releases inspired many to plant grapes and make wine with the result that Waiheke Island is renowned for world-class Bordeaux-styled reds. The Chardonnays, Syrahs and Viogniers are about to join the club with the number of outstanding wines made growing with every vintage. As a brand Goldwater Estate went through rapid growth and soon, Marlborough wines came under the banner and leading sales. So successful were these that Goldwater merged with Vavasour in 2006 as part of the New Zealand Wine Fund, and this in turn became part of Bill Foley’s wine empire in 2009.
Goldie Wines will no doubt continue to reward those who have faithfully followed the Waiheke Island wine dream. www.goldiewines.co.nz