Te Aotea

“A super-charged red, showing compelling concentration, it is densely coloured, muscular and sweet-fruited, with blackcurrant, spice, plum and nut flavours, buried tannins, and obvious cellaring potential.”
– Michael Cooper on the 2010 Malbec, rated 5 stars

Our Story

Pam Finch established her vineyard “Te Aotea” in 2005 on her biodynamic property near Shelly Beach on the South Head peninsula of the Kaipara Harbour. Pam named the vineyard after the Maori name for shelly beach “Aotea” and coincidentally the road her childhood family home was on Aotea Street in Orakei.

Planted in Malbec, her first vintage was 2008 – the 1-acre vineyard is meticulously cared for under a biodynamic regime. Pam had a long involvement with organics through her friendship with New Zealand organics pioneer John Pearce and led to her commitment to growing and making her wine under these principles.

Stephen Nobilo has assisted Pam from the start of her venture in 2004 when she first asked him to help her establish her vineyard and make her wine. Pam passed away in February 2017 and is sadly missed by all who were lucky enough to know her. Her label is continued under the guidance of Stephen Nobilo who continues to make the wine to same ethos established by Pam and to oversee the vineyard 10 years on.