Welcome to Ascension Wine Estate
"Anyone with even the vaguest interest in food or wine is drawn to this winery as a fly to a web."
- Bob Campbell, Master of Wine, 'Air New Zealand Magazine'
"The food is so light, fresh and delicious that it is almost mandatory to stop here on any drive north."
- Joëlle Thomson, wine writer & author of 'Under $20 Wine Guide'
Winner of four HANZ (Hospitality Association of New Zealand) national "Awards for Excellence" and a 12-time national finalist, our purpose is bringing people together in celebration.
Our goal is to become the best vineyard experience in New Zealand. To help make sure we deliver on that promise, here's our "daring to be different" guarantee...
"If something is not to your expectation, let us know. We will do whatever YOU say it takes to put it right!"
OPEN 7 DAYS
Wine Tasting & Cellar Door Sales...
- Mon-Sun: 10:00am - 5:00pm
The Oak Grill bistro...
Your meal is prepared over a flaming grill fuelled with real French oak barrel shavings that have been soaked in red wine. We've been awarded the NZ Beef & Lamb "Hallmark of Excellence" 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008, won four HANZ (Hospitality Association of New Zealand) national "Awards for Excellence" and been a national finalist 12 times. Need we say more?
- Weekdays: 11:00am - 4:00pm
- Weekends: 11:00am - 5:00pm
(N.B. Kitchen closes one hour before the restaurant) - Dinner: Friday & Saturday from 5:30pm
(Kids dine free when seated between 5:30pm and 6:30pm)
Welcome to our place...
We are the fifth generation of the Soljan family to grow grapes and make wine for a living.
In 1994 we made a new start and began our quest to find a special piece of land from which we could produce world-class wine. Our search lead us to Matakana, one of NZ's "hottest" emerging wine regions, where over two long years (1996 & 1997) we planted our vineyard on a magnificent single, steep hillside.
The iron-rich Matakana clay, warm maritime climate, and superb northerly aspect at Ascension have produced wines that are both widely acclaimed in the press, and keenly sought by wine enthusiasts.
Peter Saunders, wine critic and author of A Guide to NZ Wines has described Ascension as "the regional star of Matakana".
Life is too short to drink boring wine, and our philosophy has evolved to craft small quantities of distinctive, terroir-driven wines from both traditional and very unusual varieties. There is no boardroom at Ascension. Our vineyard and winery decisions are driven solely by a passion to grow the very best grapes, and make the finest wines.
Expensive techniques regarded as "special" by many wineries, such as cane pruning, extensive leaf plucking, crop thinning and hand harvesting, are standard here. Our small 7,000 case production and loyal customers ensure you will only find our wines in some of New Zealand's more enlightened specialist wine stores and restaurants. Of course the best way is to pick some up on your way out at our Cellar Door!
We have grown up with wine at the table, and Ascension wines are crafted with a total wine and food experience in mind. Visitors to the vineyard can enjoy Ascension wines alongside meals served in our vineyard restaurant, the Oak Grill Bistro.