Mission Building on Success

The Dominion  (13th October 2005)

Success is driving expansion at the Mission Estate Winery – one of Hawke's Bay’s leading winery, restaurant,
conference and wedding venues.

Mission Estate’s fabulous results in both its wine production and hospitality is behind continuing improvements across its business, says brand manager Rebecca Nicholls, as well as the fame of the annual Mission Concert.

“Mission has achieved on going growth of wine  sales and wine making credibility through awards and accolades, such
as a recent gold medal for our Jewelstone chardonnay at the New Zealand International Wine Awards.

“As fine wine producers, quality comes at a price. We decided to upgrade across the facilities to ensure we can continue to produce consistent, high quality wine and at twice the capacity to meet demand.”

The latest developments will double the winery’s grape pressing capacity.  While staying true to its history through the restoration of the early brick cellar, new innovations include a state of the art fruit-receiving area, significant new tank space and a large temperature-controlled barrel room to enable wines to age in the optimum environmental conditions. 

“The new production facility has been designed to deliver maximum energy and water efficiencies, a vital element in our ongoing commitment to the environment.

“The expansion project is being managed in two parts, the first being the grape receival area, which was operational for the 2005 vintage.  The second stage includes a barrel room and a replacement for the corrugated iron cellar built in the early 1970s – that’s likely to be completed in 2007.”

Further up the hill, there has been a hive of expansion activity due to growing demand and popularity for Mission Estate’s al a carte dinning, as well as the increasing need for private functions and conference facilities. The changes enable the venue to handle a number of private functions at the same time, such as a wedding and a conference, while still operating the restaurant. An extra 50 car parks have also been added to cope with the extra patronage.

The existing restaurant and kitchen have been upgraded and the dining area expanded to the second floor to a new area known as St Peter Chanel.  A new dumb waiter (Valier) will be used to transport food and wine from the kitchen.

“One of the real bonuses of the second floor area is the covered outdoor balcony. That’s a prime spot with captivating views over Napier. The new upstairs area will provide a private and discrete dinning experience – a fabulous setting for a special occasion dinner with friends or for a small corporate function.

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“This gives our patrons, from Labour Weekend, the choice of dining outside on the terrace lawn, inside in the existing Red Room or upstairs in the new St Peters Chanel Room.”

New private functions/conference facilities have been designed, including the second floor Library Room which accommodates 30-40 people and has a built-in slide projector monitor and break out areas.

“This will increase our reputation as a conference value, added to the prestigious functions we have also hosted such as the ASB Royal Services and Regional Economic Forum with Prime Minister Helen Clark as guest speaker.”

The Estate now offers an increased array of conference facilities that vary from intimacy to corporate functions. The Red Room is a small elegant room able to be separated from the main dining area and used as a private venue. The larger and more dramatic Chapel is suitable for weddings and large corporate dinners or meetings. 

“We are fast becoming the venue of choice for couples looking for something special,” Ms Nicholls says.

“Our reception venue, The Chapel, with its high vaulted ceilings and arched windows, is a beautiful and dramatic venue for a wedding. It is fully self-contained with its own bar facilities, with French doors opening onto the terrace and lawn.”

Established in 1851 by the French Marist religious order, Mission Estate Winery is New Zealand’s oldest winery.  Housed in an elegantly restored, historic seminary building with sweeping views of Napier, Mission Estate offers visitors a year-round complete wine experience. 

Visit the cellar door for tastings and tours of our historic complex.  Wine styles include Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, Gewürztraminer, Semillon, Riesling, Ice Wine, Rose, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Franc, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Viognier.

Rebecca Nicholls says Mission is proud of being New Zealand's oldest winery. 

“We invite you to walk through time and history in a setting that compliments the old and new. The cellar has gone through a number of challenges including relocating, fires, earthquakes, expansion and more recently the completion of the spectacular underground cellar.

“Visit the cellar door for tastings and tours of our historic complex.  Then you can enjoy fine cuisine either in our luxurious dining area or seated outdoors in our beautifully manicured gardens.”

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