The Hunting Lodge in Waimauku, north-west Auckland has a history that stretches back to 1868, but the modern times start in the 1970s and the lodge’s association particularly with the restaurant to the Matua Valley days of the Spence brothers is notable. Following a series of corporate purchases, The 32 ha estate was purchased by the Spence’s long-time friends Brent and Denise Sutton in 2016 from Treasury Wine Estates. The Hunting Lodge has undergone a period of refurbishment to the cellar door, café, restaurant, gardens and facilities, as well as the winery and bottling plant.
Part of the revitalisation was the creation of The Hunting Lodge own-label wines, which are now on their second release. The wines are made from fruit sourced from the 3 ha of Sauvignon and Chardonnay vines in the Home Block and from neighbouring vineyards in Waimauku, as well as other regions. The winemaker is the well-known and well-respected Pete Turner, who has made wine in South Africa and France, and in New Zealand, notably in West Auckland and Waiheke Island. Pete was the senior winemaker of Matua’s North Island wines from 2013 until 2016, when the Waimauku winery closed. Here, I review a selection of The Hunting Lodge wines. They are very well-made and show sophistication. www.thehuntinglodge.com
FEATURED WINES IN THIS REVIEW
- The Hunting Lodge Gisborne Marsanne/Viognier 2016
- The Hunting Lodge Gisborne Albarino 2017
- The Hunting Lodge ‘Home Block’ Waimauku ‘Wild Ferment’ Sauvignon Blanc 2017
- The Hunting Lodge ‘Home Block’ Waimauku Chardonnay 2017
- The Hunting Lodge ‘Single Vineyard’ Marlborough Pinot Noir 2017
- The Hunting Lodge ‘Single Vineyard’ Central Otago Pinot Noir 2017
