Vineyard under new management
ALEXANDRA
BOUTIQUE Alexandra wine company Weaver Estate has new owners.
Dunedin couple Brian and Jen Watson took over the 4ha property on January 22, after its sale for an undisclosed sum.
Weaver Estate is one of the Alexandra Basin’s established vineyards, its the first vines planted in 2005.
The vineyard was formerly owned and operated by the Weaver family, Carey and Liz, with daughter Jess and her Germanborn husband Kilian KleineTebbe, all experienced winemakers and viticulturists.
Jess Weaver said her family was thrilled the business would continue to function under new ownership.
Situated on State Highway 8 between Clyde and Alexandra, the vineyard backs down to the Clutha River, and includes a modern home, small winery and two fully furnished visitor cottages.
Wines produced under the Weaver label include pinot noir, pinot gris and sauvignon blanc.
The vineyard will be absorbed into the Wild Irishman label, operated by Jen Watson’s father, Alan Brady, one of Central Otago’s wine pioneers.
Mr Brady said he was excited about the potential of the vineyard, which would be added to Wild Irishman’s expanding portfolio which already includes wines from Gibbston and Bannockburn.
‘‘Because many of the Alexandra vineyards are smaller than those in the Cromwell area, for example, they have been somewhat overlooked and underrated.
At their best, the pinot noir and some of the white wines from here are as good as any in the greater Central Otago region.’’
Mr Brady, who established Gibbston Valley Wines Ltd in the 1980s and then built Mount Edward Winery in 1998, said the family had plans for the Alexandra property but these were unlikely to be announced until later this year.