Award-winning Akarua is the largest privately owned single-estate vineyard in Central Otago, with 50 hectares of stunning vineyard. First planted in 1996 by Sir Clifford Skeggs. The Akarua team are focused on managing the quality of the fruit in the vineyard through to winemaking in their winery; giving them complete control from vineyard through to bottle.
Bannockburn, the sub region in Central Otago where Akarua is located has been described as the 'jewel in Central Otago's crown'.
Winemaker Profile
Andrew Keenleyside - winemaker.
Andrew Keenleyside has been a key
member of the Akarua winemaking team
since 2009 when he joined as Assistant
Winemaker. More than ready for the next
progression in his career Andrew was
promoted to Head Winemaker in September
2015.
After graduating from Massey University with
an Applied Science degree he spent three
years as a vineyard manager in the North
Island.
Based at Akarua in Bannockburn, Andrew is
responsible for managing our 350 tonne winery,
which is purpose built for producing Akaruas
premium Pinot Noir and sparkling wines, as
well as white wines.
Andrew believes that his challenge as a
winemaker is to capture the intensity of flavour
of the grapes at the optimum point; at the
peak of flavour and the threshold of ripeness.
Central Otago as a region offers plenty of
uncharted territory. Every vintage is a journey,
with a new set of challenges.
http://www.akarua.com