| 123 T T Alexia Anderson Plenty to celebrate at Blenheim site Astrolabe Wines’ new cellar door and wine facility is now open in central Blenheim, near the banks of the Ōpaoa River. VITICULTURE Astrolabe Wines Astrolabe Wines is toasting to its newest chapter after opening a cellar door and wine bar in the heart of Blenheim. The new facility at 2 Horton St opened just weeks ago after comprehensive forward planning by the team at the family-run enterprise. Co-owner Jane Forrest-Waghorn said her family’s desire to expand and have a greater presence within the community, prompted them to approach Rangitāne Investments after seeing one of their billboards. They contacted Rangitāne Investment’s CEO, who suggested they look at a site in central Blenheim, near the banks of the Ōpaoa River. That site is now home to a purpose-built urban winery, which Rangitāne Investments constructed and Astrolabe Wines leases. Project management company Apollo was also on board to take the initial idea and turn it into a reality. Following a period of hard work and patience, Astrolabe Wines is now reaping the rewards, as are its valued customers. “It gives us a way to connect with our consumers. We can host tastings and are able to connect with people and sell directly to people,” Jane said. And, being located in the heart of Blenheim has added a new dimension to the family’s expanding enterprise. “It’s really nice to be working in the centre of town and we are finding people can walk along the river and visit us, which is very pleasant.” The new development came right on cue, just in time for harvest season, which meant there was no time to sit back and relax before the next round of hard work kicked into gear. The family has been in their new premise for just a matter of weeks, which was going well and the team was enjoying themselves, Jane said. She said there were plenty of elements the family was looking forward to as they settled into their new site and welcomed visitors through the doors. “It’s the opportunity to be able to share our wines with our community and, of course, the people that are passing through or visiting Blenheim. We make a wide range of wines, so it’s nice for people to taste our classic wines, but also nice for them to try the variety that we do.” “It gives us a way to connect with our consumers. We can host tastings and are able to connect with people and sell directly to people. Astrolabe Wines was established in 1996 by Jane and her husband Simon Waghorn, a prominent winemaker. They have since welcomed their daughters on board - Libby Waghorn-Levett who is general manager and Arabella Waghorn who is marketing manager and winemaker. Arabella’s partner Finn Scott-Kelly, who has a winemaking and marketing background, has also joined the family business. People can enjoy everything Astrolabe Wines has to offer seven days a week, including tastings in the barrel room, or a wine matched with a delicacy from the charcuterie menu. Operating hours are from Sunday to Wednesday, 12pm to 5pm, and Thursday to Saturday, 12pm to 9pm, catering to a diverse clientele and ensuring an experience to remember. With the doors to Astrolabe Wines’ new facility now open, the family behind the name welcomes everyone to visit, and experience their passion firsthand. NELSON VAPOUR BLASTING Proud to be involved in the Astrolabe Project 027 444 8233 035783475 | www.crafarcrouch.co.nz Civil, Earthworks Drainage aggregate supplies. CRAFAR CROUCH
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