An internationally renowned wine business and estate vineyards with extensive future growth potential in the Bendigo region of Central Otago is being presented to the market for sale.
Quartz Reef, an award-winning winery that is a pioneer of méthode traditionnelle in New Zealand, comprises two organic and biodynamic certified vineyards spread over three individual titles covering 31.3042ha.
The vineyards consist of a total planted area of 24.84ha of established vines of which 18.21ha is pinot noir.
The vineyards are next door to each other on either side of Bendigo Loop Road and other varieties include pinot gris, chardonnay, and a small area of gruner veltliner. The 2023 harvest produced 183.1 tonnes of grapes.
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Established in 1996 by CEO and Chief Winemaker Rudi Bauer, who remains at the helm, the business has strong foundations with a reputation for producing high-quality wine.
The brand, IP, distribution, stock, plant, and equipment are part of the offering. Quartz Reef has a strong domestic sales base and multiple export markets such as Australia.
Bendigo is regarded as the warmest subregion in Central Otago and is a prime growing area due to its attractive north-facing slopes, long sunshine hours, and free-draining soils.
Colliers Rural Sales Advisors Mike Eyles and Ruth Hodges have been exclusively appointed to market the property for sale via deadline private treaty closing at 4pm on Thursday 3 August, unless sold prior.
The freehold vineyard landholdings are broken down into the Bendigo Estate Vineyard at 198 Bendigo Loop Road, which spans 14.9791ha across two titles, and the Bendigo Loop Road Vineyard at 297 Bendigo Loop Road that measures 16.3251ha on a single title.
The winery, cellar door, and offices are located at a leased premises at 6-8 Hughes Crescent in Cromwell that has been home to Quartz Reef production since 1997.
The Loop Road Vineyard has a manager’s cottage with an adjoining machinery shed and workshop and a specific area designed for biodynamic operations.
Bauer, who was named national Champion Winemaker of the Year in 1999 and 2010, says after more than 25 years in business, the time is right for another owner to take over the property.
“I am tremendously proud of what we have been able to achieve at Quartz Reef, where we have established a well-known brand that has earned the respect of our peers and industry-wide recognition,” Bauer says.
“The vision I had for the vineyard has been brought to life and that is incredibly satisfying. We have developed an excellent team of people who have been able to produce high-quality wine that is hugely popular with consumers.”
Quartz Reef’s two vineyards are both BioGro-certified organic and Demeter-certified biodynamic as well as being Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand certified.
This means the vineyard is specifically managed to meet the requirements under the certifications to ensure compliance and the highest quality product.
The day-to-day management of the vineyard is currently outsourced to a local vineyard management company with experience in organic management. The management of the vineyard is closely overseen by Bauer.
Eyles, Rural Sales Advisor at Colliers Queenstown, says there’s a range of options the new owner could pursue to grow the business and expand its operations.
“The existing winery has the capacity to produce more wine based on recent volumes, which could lead to increased revenues off what is already a strong returning base,” Eyles says.
“The new owner may also choose to enhance the current winery site by optimising the existing space. Alternatively, on the Bendigo Estate Vineyard there is an area that lends itself to a gravity-assisted production winery, specialised wine storage facility, or cellar door.
“The Loop Road Vineyard has available land also suitable for an on-site winery, cellar door, or alternate building. Incorporating accommodation may also be a possibility given the growth in wine tourism.”
Hodges, Director of Colliers Rural & Agribusiness in Otago and Southland, says this marks the first time this well-known asset has been presented to the market since it was established.
“Opportunities such as this one are seldom available and will draw considerable interest among prospective purchasers,” Hodges says.
“We encourage all interested parties to make contact with us immediately to ensure they don’t miss out on the chance to purchase a stake in New Zealand’s world-renowned wine industry.”
- Article supplied by Colliers
