 | | Darryl Soljan - Chief Bottle WasherWith a passion for wine, food and travel, Darryl reckons he has the world's best job. A voracious reader and sports lover (he was an Auckland representative runner, completed the 1996 NZ Ironman and recently walked the 100km Oxfam Trailwalker), Darryl also coaches his son Dominic's soccer team and has total sympathy for the frustrations of professional coaches all over the world. Darryl is usually introduced as "Bridget's husband", was awarded "Hospitality Personality" at the 2009 Manaakitanga Awards and received the "Outstanding Contribution to Hospitality" in 2010. He chairs the Warkworth Wellsford Hospice Advisory Group and is a Trustee of North Shore Hospice and the North Shore Hospice Foundation. |
| | Bridget Soljan - The Real BossBridget was made an "honorary Dally" following an outstanding effort planting out Ascension's vineyard while pregnant in 1997. Like Darryl, Bridget was an Auckland rep runner in her previous life though these days she is a full time mum and spends most of her time chasing Dominic & Emma. An enthusiastic lover of life, Bridget can be found most Tuesday evenings at Pub Quiz where her team regularly finishes outside the top three and is 'in training' for the Oxfam Trailwalker 100km event in Taupo in 2012. |
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 | | Carlie Blanchett-Burton
Artisan of Amore, and
Artisan of Meetings & EventsCarlie joined Ascension some years ago as a 'full time mum looking for some part time work'. She is so great with people that we made her a full time Artisan of Amore & Meetings/Events as well as a full time mum. Luckily she lives just over the hill. She is a lady of many talents. Carlie recently completed a tertiary fine arts degree and has produced many beautiful and varied works which have been exhibited throughout Auckland. She has a gorgeous singing voice as well - a karaoke star - and we can often hear her singing away without a care in the world. |
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 | | Predrag Jankovic
Kitchen MestroFrom Croatia (hence the rugged good looks) Predrag's family farm pigs and grow crops. This is where he learned everything you need to know about buthcering an animal and then turning it into various cured meats, terrine and pates! Predrag honed his skills in Italy and elsewhere before joing us in 2007 when we 'imported him'. We have seen a few chefs and he is unquestionably the most culinarily gifted we have had work with us. If you shout him enough craft beer he might even give away a family secret! |
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 | | Mike Reid
Wine partner in crimeMike has worked at a number of premium New Zealand wineries, and as well as helping Darryl to craft Ascension's wines, he makes small volumes of his own "Michael Ramon" label from local fruit. Mike is a scratch golfer and a Crusaders supporter - apart from that we like everything about him! |
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 | | Allison Gordon
Botanical Zen-masterOver the years, Ascension's gardens and grounds have grown extensively, particularly with the addition of substantial vegetable and herb gardens for the kitchen. Allison takes care of all things "green", propagating heirloom plants from seed, meeting the demands of chefs and keeping the gardens gorgeous. Allison also helps the vineyard lads, especially "tying down" during pruning - the vines, not the lads. |
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 | | Allan Moors
Grape Guardian & GamekeeperAllan looks after the entire grape growing operation and is also responsible for Ascension's grounds and maintenance. An "ex-Westie" and Henderson orchard owner, Allan is a top shooter (a bit of a shame for our rabbits), a very even-tempered golfer and widely regarded as the "dad" at Ascension. |
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