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PAKU VIEWS ISSUE 3 SPRING/SUMMER 2011-12
Award winning Master Builders
Designing and building new homes and renovations on the
Coromandel Peninsula
Ph: 8647002 or 021 345109
•
HAVEN COROMANDEL LTD
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Each room features Wif internet access, Sky satellite TV, room
service, equipped kitchen, iron and hairdryer. Onsite restaurants,
guest laundry, business centre, shops and shuttle service. There
are many activities available: from golf, sea kayaking and scenic
boat rides to exploring the lush native habitat or simply enjoying
one of the many white sand beaches. Tariff from $89-$219.
A cluster of
island style Chalets
set among tropical
vegetation and the tranquil
tidal waters of the Tairua Harbour
Located 20 km from some of the most famous New Zealand
attractions: Hot Water Beach and Cathedral Cove.
+64 7 864 8581
Pacific Harbour Lodge
223 Main Road, Tairua
For bookings, package deals and last minute specials book securely online at
As the business grew and developed over the next 5
years, they realised they wanted to encourage people
to come to Cooks Beach and enjoy their location and its
fruits. This was a compelling driver in the decision to
create the Mercury Bay Estate brand and most recently
to open the Cellar Door, where anyone can come relax
and enjoy the beautiful vista, while tasting some of
their wines. They also offer platters of local food, and
for those who enjoy a beer they also provide the local
beers produced by the Coromandel Brewing Company.
John and Lorraine are pleased to support other local
businesses as well–the food on the platters include
Matatoki cheese, venison salami from Stan and Betty
Bakewell in Tairua, Orua olive oil from Hot Water Beach
and Cathedral Cove Macadamia Nuts and oil. Most
items on the platters are also available for purchase.
As the estate has limited production, they offer their
wines only on the Coromandel. The Pinot Noir and
Rosé are bottled from grapes grown on their land. The
Merlot, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc offered under
the Mercury Bay label is produced from grapes grown
in the Hawkes Bay region.
Mercury Bay’s 2010 Rosé is a bronze medal winner and
the perfect choice for a refreshing summer beverage. I
was impressed. Not normally a rosé kind of gal, I loved
their award winner. Linda Crozier, owner of the Old Mill
Café in Tairua, agrees and said, “Its one of the best I’ve
G
reg and I have worked together for most of our
married life, almost 30 years, It’s been “the best
of times and the worst of times”.
The major portion
has defnitely been the best, however, being with
your partner 24/7 can have its challenges. We were
amazed at the number of couples choosing to work
together on the Coromandel and decided to ask these
“co-entrepreneurs” to share their secrets of how to
build a successful business–and still stay together.
-Tovi Daly
What do these three couples have in common? They
have all chosen to not only be partners in life, but to
take a leap in to business partnerships that provide
products they love to the Coromandel community.
And those businesses just happen to involve three
of New Zealand’s favourite beverages– wine, beer
and coffee.
These couples are each passionate about their
beverage of choice and decided to both produce and
share it –
Mercury Bay Estate Wines, Coromandel
Brewing Company and Coffee LaLa.
What would we do without that cuppa to kick start
the day, the brew that refreshes us on hot summer
afternoons, and the glass of wine we share while
toasting another beautiful day in paradise.
One point they all agree on is that “fun” is a key
element to their success and happiness. Let’s fnd
out more.
Mercury Bay Estate
John & Lorraine Donelley purchased this
beautiful section in 2004 with the intent to
semi-retire and enjoy the pleasures this idyllic
location in Cooks Beach offered. They owned a
bach in the area and had been holidaying here
for over 15 years.
The section was originally part of an estate most
people remember as Shakespeare Cliff Vineyard. The
entire vineyard contained plantings of Merlot, Pinot
Noir, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc.
When the vineyard was subdivided in 2004, each
variety was established as a separate viticulture block.
John & Lorraine purchased the Pinot Noir block. It
was a perfect match, as Pinot Noir was their personal
favourite.
After much debate and no experience in viticulture,
they decided to take on the challenge of operating the
small vineyard and actually produce wine. Their frst
vintage, released in 2006, was under the Cooks Beach
Vineyard label. So much for retirement!