Indevin Gisborne - Learning on the job
Offering work-based training opportunities in vineyards and wineries is key to the viticulture industry, says Tim Henry, Vineyard Manager of Indevin's Gisborne vineyard.
The vineyard was established in the 1960s by the late Bill Irwin, with the first wines produced under the Matawhero label in 1975 by his son, the late Denis Irwin.
Bill imported clonal material directly from Europe, including what remained of Matawhero's flagship varieties - Gewürztraminer and Chardonnay - at a time when New Zealand's vineyard plantings were still dominated by hybrid and bulk wine varieties.
Denis crafted wines that quickly gained national and international attention for their flair and individuality, particularly the benchmark aromatic whites.
It was a bold step says current owner Kirsten Searle.
"He was a bookseller originally, so to suddenly start grape growing was a leap of faith. Denis always pushed the boundaries in terms of wine style; his flamboyant character and maverick attitude put Matawhero - and Gisborne - on the map."
Kirsten and her husband Richard took the reins in 2008, inheriting a name rich in history but in need of revitalisation.
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"There wasn't any wine being sold when we took over," she recalls. "To see the distribution we have, and people enjoying our wines across New Zealand - and now in export markets - is very rewarding."
Kim Crawford now handles the winemaking, supported by a team with deep local knowledge and decades of experience.
Along with growing the brand, the Searles have transformed the Riverpoint home vineyard with a cellar door and accommodation, allowing them to "share a little of our paradise with people who stay".
For Gisborne, Matawhero has long been a local icon.
“Denis showcased Matawhero and Gisborne nationally and internationally very early on, and we have tried to carry on the legacy,” says Kirsten. “Fifty years is a milestone worth celebrating. It’s also great for our wider community to have businesses that succeed, have history, and showcase our unique region."
The next half-century will be about continuing to do things well, she says.
“Making the best wines we can, and growing while retaining our history and identity… We want to leave our own legacy.”
