Magnificent Martinborough

The McCallum’s dream home was a two year labour of love. Juliet McGhie unearths the story behind this Martinborough masterpiece

Neil and Dawn McCallum started their dream home project in 2003. “We had just sold our winery and vineyard and we wanted to indulge ourselves in the house of our dreams,” Neil McCallum says. The two year collaboration between Martinborough wine industry pioneer Neil, his wife Dawn, architect Chris Kelly, and builder/ concrete specialist Ron Allen was so successful the house won the NZ Award for Architecture 2007, NZ Concrete Society Residential Award for design and construction, and has featured in many home magazines. “This was a house built to last for generations and with the very best quality materials,” Neil says Amazing views combine with the tranquillity of the site and a sense of seclusion, all within easy reach of Martinborough. Construction is concrete and stone with 12 barrel-vaulted ceilings, engineered to withstand a one in 600 year earthquake. The house faces north-west, looking out over Ruamahunga river and valley to the Tararua range, with the changing seasons and crops in the farm below (land which cannot be developed for housing). To the southwest you’ll see even more spectacular panoramic views towards the South Island, and to the rear are views of the hills. “When our children lived in Wellington, it was full with them and friends all weekends, enjoying Martinborough, lounging beside the pool or even trout fishing in the river below,” Dawn says. “Now we enjoy the seclusion and feeling of total tranquillity - when we are not off enjoying ourselves in or around Martinborough or overseas.” The driveway winds down between lines of oaks, past two miniature lakes to the house. Entry is via an interior courtyard, sheltered from the weather, where the couple barbecue and entertain guests outside in the summer. Open the front door and there’s an immediate sense of tranquillity, thanks to the vaulted ceilings, and an appreciation of the spectacular views. “There is no one favourite place in the house. It was designed with different times and functions in mind - and it lives up to the intention,” Neil says. “A leisurely lunch in the courtyard; relaxing in the sunroom next to the kitchen while looking out over the river; or in the southern courtyard with the outdoor fire going watching the sun set over the South Island and so on.” Clad in Oamaru stone, it is designed around a central courtyard with two other courtyards to the north-west and south-west, so at least one outdoor area can be used for entertaining at any time. The home is surrounded by some established and re-planted native bush. Interior living areas face mainly to the north-west and the architect has been very successful in capturing spectacular views in three directions. It will appeal to people wanting to live close to Martinborough and its splendid facilities but retain some privacy. For those who enjoy the countryside, but still are close enough to drive to Wellington and back in the same day. “It is a lovely family home,” Dawn adds. “Having lived in the house for 11 years we are now retiring, and plan to live close by in a smaller house, engaging in more travel, to spend more time with our grown-up children overseas while we still can.”