Te Motu

Bordeaux Pioneers in Waiheke's Onetangi Valley

Among the pioneers of Waiheke wine, the Dunleavy family bought 30 acres in the Onetangi Valley in 1988, planted their first vines the following year and made the first Te Motu vintage in 1993. Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot have been at the heart of the estate from the beginning.

The name comes from Te Motu Arai Roa, an earlier Maori name for Waiheke meaning "island of long shelter." Today, the vineyard remains in the founding family's hands, with a focus on reds that develop with time in bottle.

The Onetangi Vineyard

Te Motu describes its north-facing site as having clay-rich soils derived from Jurassic-age Waipapa Group rock. The valley's sheltered conditions and extended growing season support the estate's Bordeaux varieties.

Fruit is picked by hand, and in most years the team removes some bunches before harvest to help the remaining grapes ripen. The estate describes 12 to 18 months of barrel ageing, adjusted to the wine and vintage, followed by further bottle ageing for the flagship. Read more about Te Motu's vineyard and winemaking.

Choosing a Te Motu Wine

The Cabernet Sauvignon-led Te Motu 2020 is the flagship. For a Merlot-led blend, explore Kokoro 2020, made with an emphasis on ripe fruit and texture.

The Dunleavy range offers another side of the estate. Its Onetangi Nouveau Chilled Red 2025 is a lighter expression of Merlot intended to be enjoyed young and served chilled. It provides a useful contrast to the estate's longer-lived reds.

Browse the Te Motu wines below or visit Great Little Vineyards at Orakei Bay Village in Remuera, Auckland. We deliver across New Zealand. Visit the official Te Motu website for the family's story and vineyard information.

Browse and filter the Te Motu shopping range.