Horse farm listed as Nobilo seeks to refinance
The West Auckland Waimarie Estate Farm owned by a member of the Nobilo family remains listed by the Barfoot & Thompson real estate agency as a mortgagee sale.
Owners Stephen and Valerie Nobilo have reportedly obtained alternative funding for the 62-hectare horse farm.
But a Barfoot & Thompson spokesman said the instructions to the agents were to keep it listed, though the situation could change.
The mortgagee sale was initiated by FE Investments after a default on payments, understood to be related to a family trust feud.
The property in Muriwai Valley Rd is described as a modern equestrian complex including vineyard.
‘‘This is a very, very special property. Absolutely amazing. The sun-drenched land features extensive pastures, boutique vineyard blocks, gorgeous, mature, native bush, watercourse, dams, bore and stunning rural views ... a full-sized Olympic, floodlit dressage arena ... A peace [sic] of paradise indeed.’’
The Nobilo family is caught up in a fight over trust funds set up by Nikola Nobilo, who came from Croatia in 1937 and set up the winery that has become a wellknown name in New Zealand.
The dispute centres on a multimillion-dollar case that Stephen Nobilo is due to take against his brother Nick Nobilo in the High Court in a few weeks.
The case is expected to bring up evidence about Nick Nobilo’s failed vineyard Vinoptima Estate, which went into receivership last year with debts of about $15 million.
The trust funding of various other assets and properties is also in dispute.