Winery of the Month

Nga Waka is classed by New Zealand wine writer Michael Cooper as a ‘Classic’ producer.  To achieve this status the wines must show consistent quality over many vintages.  Michael Cooper summaries Nga Waka wines as ‘typically immaculate, with a voluminous fragrance and fresh, deep, lingering flavours.

"Our winemaking aims to produce wines that are built to last, emphasizing structure, texture and balance and avoiding the retention of residual sugar that produces more approachable young wines but often results in older wines that are broad and flabby. Our wines are bone dry and derive richness and concentration from low crops and optimal sunlight interception by the leaves and grapes." Rodger Parkinson owner/winemaker

Nga Waka Vineyard takes its name from the hills that form the backdrop to the township of Martinborough, Nga Waka a Kupe.  It is said that these three hills were formed when Kupe laid his waka (canoe) to rest upon arriving in Aotearoa (New Zealand).

The Nga Waka Range