Matariki Wines is owned by former New Zealand rugby representative John O'Connor and his wife Rosemary. Their mission is 'to produce fruit driven wines of elegance and complexity, handcrafted from a tapestry of soils grown in harmony with nature'. Matariki's main vineyard is located on the stony barren soils of Gimblett Rd - an area recently recognised by Harvey Steinman, writing in Wine Spectator Magazine, as an area producing several top rated reds. Matariki has sprung to our attention with the success of its wines in a number of national and international wine competitions. At the Royal Easter Wine Show 2001 it received trophies for its Blanc De Blanc 1997 and its Syrah 1999. Other successes include gold for its Pinot Noir at the International Wine Challenge in London 2001 and the Luigi Bormioli Trophy, for the Top Chardonnay of the Show, at the 3rd International Cool Climate Wine Show at the Mornington Peninsula in Australia. Matariki is open for tastings 7 days a week from 10am to 5pm. Mataraki wines can be purchase direct from the winery, from selected New Zealand outlets and are exported to Brazil, Hong Kong, Ireland, the United Kingdom, Australia, Japan and the USA.