This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.
News
Skeggs Group to launch ‘super premium wine brand’
Following on from the sale of Central Otago’s Akarua brand to Edmond de Rothschild Heritage, former owner Skeggs Group has hinted at what it has planned next.
The sale of the 52 hectare estate (34.5ha of which are under vine), now approved by New Zealand’s Overseas Investment Office, extends Edmond de Rothschild’s presence in New Zealand, with the group already owning Rimapere in Marlborough.
“First and foremost,” Akarua Limited general manager Kathryn Pettit said in a statement, “we want to affirm that the Skeggs family [Sir Clifford Skeggs founded the Akarua brand in 1996] are still very much committed to the Central Otago wine industry but of course there are some big (and exciting) changes that this sale does bring.”
“The sale of the Akarua brand has enabled us to develop a new strategy around our remaining wine brand RUA and the 90 hectares of established vineyards that we still own in the Bannockburn and Pisa subregions of Central Otago. Our partnership with the restaurant and cellar door in the Lake Hayes area remains unchanged.”
“We are preparing to launch a new super premium wine brand for visitors to our cellar door and restaurant, as well as making it available through a new website and wine club. We will also continue to produce Methode Traditionelle wines as well a range of Single Site varietals from our estate vineyards,” Pettit continued.
The new brand, wines, wine club and website are due to be revealed on 1 November. Akarua Wines & Kitchen by Artisan will also be rebranded as a result of the sale.
Meanwhile, the new Bordeaux-based owner of Akarua plans to convert to organic production.