NZ’s Astrolabe Wines now 100% family-owned

Marlborough’s Astrolabe Wines has announced that it’s now a fully family-owned business after Simon Waghorn and his family, who founded the company in 1996 with two friends, now have full control of the business.

Waghorn initially founded the business alongside his wife, Jane, and two friends. 22 years later, the Marlborough winery, known for its benchmark-style of Sauvignon Blanc, is now owned by two generations of the family.

Simon, Jane, their youngest daughter Arabella Waghorn, middle daughter Libby Levett and her husband, Peter, are now all in charge of the business.

Named after ship l’Astrolabe, captained by French explorer Jules Dumont d’Urville, who charted the coves and islands in the area in 1827, the winery’s original vineyard is located in Grovetown in the lower Wairau Valley. It also sources grapes from other areas within the Marlborough region including the Awatere Valley and Kekerengu Coast. As well as Sauvignon Blanc, it also produces Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Riesling, Albariño and Chenin Blanc.

Commenting on the purchase, Simon Waghorn said: “I am really looking forward to gathering as a family and the next generation picking up the leadership to take us beyond what I have imagined. I can then concentrate on winemaking.”

Jane Waghorn, general manager, added: “When you create a business from scratch, it becomes intrinsically linked to your values, your daily life and family. Our girls have grown up in the wine industry. It is so exciting to have them stepping up and committing to our business. I am enormously proud to have a team of clever, hardworking, young women alongside me.”

Kirsten Kilby, managing director of Armit Wines, which exclusively imports Astrolabe wines into the UK, commented: “I am so pleased for Jane, Simon and their family. The passion and commitment they imbue to their wines has propelled Astrolabe to achieve well deserved plaudits and I am sure this will only increase with their family alongside them”.