History
Matariki is a Hawkes Bay premium wine producer with our main vineyard on the stony soils of prestigious Gimblett Road owned by former New Zealand rugby representative John O'Connor and his wife Rosemary.
John O'Connor played as a Junior All Black
On their return to NZ in 1981 from studying wine in Europe, John & Rosemary decided to establish their vineyard on the stony barren soils of Gimblett Rd, recognising this area as having the now proven potential to grow international quality wines. Ever in search of excellence they were not content to start their vineyard with non-phylloxera resistant vines, they established a nursery to develop rootstock. With limited funds and the enthusiasm of youth they lived in a garage on the developing vineyard, - the original "garigistas".
Gimblett Gravels before development for vineyards
Matariki has evolved from that small beginning in 1981. In 1992 they purchased an additional 170 hectares and from this John carefully analysed the meandering contours of the old Ngaruroro riverbed and matched the soil types to ensure the correct match to the classic wines they wanted to produce. The family has retained 60 hectares of this prestigious sub-region, large enough to be international, small enough to retain all the boutique qualities and hand care they wish to give to their wines. In 1997 with the vineyards now well established. The Matariki brand was launched in to the market with immediate success and to award winning acclaim.
