Akarua is a premium, independent vineyard and wine estate located in the Central Otago region of New Zealand. The name itself translates directly to "two vines" in te reo Māori, celebrating the very first blocks of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay planted on the property back in 1996. The pioneering Skeggs family originally established the estate on a spectacular, north-facing terrace in Bannockburn that has provided the permanent backbone for these wines ever since. Because the growing season in this part of the world is so short and intense, finding the right location is absolutely vital, and Akarua sits on one of the finest plots in the region.
In October 2022, this local Kiwi success story entered an exciting new chapter when the historic French winemaking family, Edmond de Rothschild Heritage, purchased the estate. By pairing New Zealand’s adventurous spirit with centuries of old-world expertise, they focus entirely on unlocking the potential of these unique terraces to produce exceptional, single-estate wines that blend everyday drinkability with serious regional soul.
To protect this unique land for the future, Technical Director Anne Escalle is leading a complete transformation of the vineyards toward certified organic wine production and regenerative practices. The viticulture team works directly with nature, sowing clover and wildflowers between the vine rows to naturally nourish the soil and retain moisture, while an underground irrigation system encourages the vines to grow deep, resilient roots. This precise care directly shapes what lands in the glass, giving the white wines a crisp, aromatic precision and the famous red wines their deep, dark-cherry plushness.