Kumeu River

Kumeu River is a winery in Kumeu whose origins lie with the Brajkovich family: by 1944, Mick, Katé and their son Maté had bought a property with a small vineyard. After Mick died in 1949, Katé and Maté continued tending vines and making wine at the vineyard, which became known as San Marino Vineyards. In 1979, the winery moved away from hybrids to varieties including Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Kumeu River then planted its first Pinot Noir block in Kumeu in the mid-1980s. Michael Brajkovich is New Zealand’s first Master of Wine.

Kumeu River produces wine from 30 hectares of its own vineyards in Kumeu and another 10 hectares from local growers. Its vineyard practices include hand harvesting, lyre trellising and canopy netting. Its wines include Chardonnay and Hunting Hill and Rays Road Pinot Noir.