Yealand’s winery for sale
One of New Zealand’s largest wine companies is selling its Hawke’s Bay winery and vineyards and moving production to Marlborough.
Yealands Estate Wines has put the Crossroads operations on the market, including three vineyards, the winery and the cellar door.
However, the Crossroads brand, business and existing stock in bottles, barrels, and tanks, are not part of the sale.
This decision comes just one year after Peter Yealands sold the majority of his company to Marlborough Lines.
The lines company paid $89 million for a 80 per cent share of Yealands Esate Wines in July last year.
Now, Yealands Estate Wines plans to consolidate winemaking operations at its Marlborough winery.
As a result, existing grape growing contracts with Hawke’s Bay producers will continue, however, the grapes will be transported to Marlborough.
Crossroads was established in Hastings as a privately-owned boutique operation in 1987.
The Fernhill-based winery, offices, barrel hall, tank farm, Spanish-style public tasting facility, and offices which have been added over the subsequent years.
Yealands Estate Wines bought Crossroads in 2011.
The vineyard block is for sale include a 10.98 hectare vineyard in Korokipo Rd, Hastings; a 59.1ha vineyard in Kereru Rd, Maraekakaho, Hastings; and a 11.83ha Gimblett Gravels vineyard on Omahu and Mere roads, near Hastings.
The blocks are planted in pinot gris, chardonnay, sauvignon blanc, merlot, syrah, cabernet sauvignon varietals among others.
However, about 14ha of the Kereru Rd block is unplanted and currently leased for cattle wintering activities, though this could allow for expansion of grape growing land use once the lease is up.
Bayleys Hawke’s Bay viticulture manager Glyn Rees-Jones, who is marketing the property, said while the company preferred to sell it as as one unit, it would be open to selling the blocks individually.
‘‘If the scenario arose where the vineyards were purchased separately, Yealands Estate Wines is open to negotiating ongoing grape supply contracts with any of the vineyards’ new owners.
‘‘The number of wine awards, trophies and accolades from these Hawke’s Bay vineyards is an indication of the quality of grapes
"Yealands Estate Wines is open to negotiating ongoing grape supply contracts with any of the vineyards' new owners." Bayleys Hawke's Bay viticulture manager Glyn Rees-Jones
produced from all three properties.’’
There was capacity at the existing winery plant to increased tonnage, Rees-Jones said.
The winery, offices, and cellar door are housed within a 716 square metre complex, which was built in 1991 and substantially renovated in 2009.
Yealands Wines Group has more than 1100ha of vines planted and employed 130 staff at its two vineyards in Seddon and Hawke’s Bay.