The name Nga Waka was chosen to reflect their sense of place. The name is taken from Nga Waka A Kupe which translates as The Canoes of Kupe. Three hills, which lie like upturned canoes, form a backdrop for the town of Martinborough. Legend has it that the hills were formed by the three canoes of the Polynesian explorer Kupe, carried inland by a huge earthquake and coming to rest in the valley behind Martinborough.
Chapter one of the Nga Waka story is set in Paris. The year was 1974, as it happens the year the first, experimental New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc was produced. Gordon Parkinson, a career diplomat, took up a posting at the New Zealand Embassy in the French capital. As he and his young family settled into life in France, Gordon became captivated by the wines of the Old World. He explored, tasted and collected. This fascination with wine rubbed off on his son, Roger and was, in turn, the impetus for the eventual establishment of Nga Waka Vineyard in Martinborough.
More than twenty years on, and now ten hectares, Nga Waka is still family-owned and remains focused on producing fine Martinborough wine for the table and cellar.
$26.00
A rich, complex Martinborough Chardonnay showing intense ripe stone fruit flavours underpinned by subtle oak, malolactic and barrel fermentation characters....
$40.00
Mature Mendoza Chardonnay vines on own roots from original plantings in 1988 are the key to this wine. Rich, textured,...
$54.00
The wine showcases all the berry, spice and savoury flavours for which Martinborough Pinot Noir is renowned but the extra...
$42.00
A rich, succulent and powerful Martinborough Pinot Noir showing dark berry and spice flavours underpinned by silky tannins and subtle,...
$28.00
Pale green/gold. Concentrated lime and mineral aromas and flavours. Elegant, tightly structured Martinborough Riesling. Residual Sugar 5g/l
$26.00
Pink blush in colour with delicate aromas of cherry and strawberry. Made entirely from Pinot Noir grapes. The juice was...
$21.00
Exhibits typical regional characteristics of white peach and nectarine with notes of vanilla and spice. The wine is rich and...
$30.00
Richly flavoured with spice, cherry and earthy notes; this wine delivers savoury undercurrents to its initial bursts of fresh fruits....
$21.00
Exhibits typical regional characteristics of citrus fruits with notes of mineral and honey. Off-dry, the wine is soft-textured and finishes...
$21.00
Exhibits typical regional characteristics of ripe passion fruit and gooseberries. The wine is fresh and full-bodied and carries ripe tropical...
