Settlers’ spirit lives on
In a touch of serendipity, bad weather precluded an intended visit recently to an historic Hawke’s Bay home by the Hawke’s Bay Founders’ Society.
Instead, at a unique winery, members were treated to learning about a modern-day example of the ‘can do’ and entrepreneurial spirit which guided our early New Zealand settlers.
On the way to that venue, a double treat was in store for history buffs as lunch was held at the ‘Puketapu’, which was previously known as the ‘Puketapu Hotel and Pheasant’s Nest’.
The former ‘Puketapu’ was established in 1885 by Mr Frederick Thomas Bradley and in its early years boasted 20 bedrooms, two parlours and a dining room.
The Founders group then travelled by coach to the Sherenden district on the Napier-Taihape road, to experience wine-tasting, tasty food platters and to learn how hosts, Tony and Kaye Prichard, developed their de la terre winery and its accompanying café.
Literally, ‘of the earth’, the title for the winery reflects its ties to the soils of its two contributing vineyards (Havelock North hills, and overlooking the TukiTuki river) and the earth brick construction used for the winery building and its tasting area.
As food technology graduates of Massey University, Tony and Kaye’s first venture took them to the Gisborne district where Tony honed his skills as a winemaker.
Then with the urge to strike out on their own and with a developing interest in earth-building techniques, they moved to the Sherenden area where Tony built their house of rammed earth and the winery and café of earth bricks, using a clay-sand mix with clay extracted from their property.
Their wine-making techniques are traditional in order to minimise handling and retain the integrity and concentration of the fruit.
European-style red and white wines are offered and a champagne is crafted in the traditional manner.
In addition to his considerable wine-making expertise, the soft hues of the earth bricks and the warm colours of native timbers reflect Tony’s love of making things from natural materials.
Elsewhere on the premises the visitors admired the many forms of Tony’s craftsmanship and creativity, including hand-built furniture, a bottle-labelling machine, lead light lamp shades and stained glass windows, numerous other architectural adornments made from native woods and a pizza oven.
Founders is a New Zealand heritage society whose members trace their ancestry to the settlers who arrived in New Zealand before 1865.
Tony and Kaye Prichard at entrance to their de la terre winery, Sherenden.
Founders members, Hawke’s Bay, learn about de la terre winery, Sherenden.