WAIMARAMA

WAIMARAMA
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Concept

A unique wine made by the hands
of people who live in New Zealand’s nature.
The word Waimarama means “moonlight on the water”
in the native Maori language of New Zealand.
The Waimarama area is located in the blessed lands of Hawke’s Bay
in the North Island of New Zealand,
where the vineyards look over the grand Tukituki River.
Chateau Waimarama is a unique wine made locally in this place where
the moonlight dances on the water in New Zealand’s natural environment.
History
1988 The vineyard was developed with a vision of making great wines that can match the wines of Bordeaux. The estate has been highly rated ever since the first vintage.1998 The vineyard was completely redesigned by improving the soil and replanting all the vines. This has enabled production of wines with better balance, power, finesse and elegance.2012 The passion of the viticulture team and the winemaker resulted in a gold medal at the NZ international wine show for our 2009 vintage.2015 To advertise the rarity and value of our wine, Chateau Waimarama rebranded its bottle labels.1988 The vineyard was developed with a vision of making great wines that can match the wines of Bordeaux. The estate has been highly rated ever since the first vintage.1998 The vineyard was completely redesigned by improving the soil and replanting all the vines. This has enabled production of wines with better balance, power, finesse and elegance.2012 The passion of the viticulture team and the winemaker resulted in a gold medal at the NZ international wine show for our 2009 vintage.2015 To advertise the rarity and value of our wine, Chateau Waimarama rebranded its bottle labels.
chateau waimarama

Terroir

  • Terroir
    Protected from the southerly winds by the Te Mata Peak and the surrounding foothills, Waimarama is situated in a dense sandstone pan with a rich top soil environment. The resulting soil and climate of this naturally blessed province of Hawke’s Bay create this aromatic and elegant wine.
  • Vineyard
    The vineyard covers 4.5ha, and the small team brings out the best grapes. All the trimming and picking is done by hand.This careful approach to viticulture is based on the belief that “great wines start from the vineyard”.
  • Sustainability
    We aim to pass on Hawke’s Bay’s soil, water, and air to the next generation by enhancing their value. Waimarama’s policy is to “keep the nature and protect the land.”Waimarama earned a reputation as one of the first wineries to introduce sustainable viticulture in 2002.

Winemakers

  • Managing Director
    Chase Arquette
    Chase has been taking care of our winery since 1998. He manages the winery and also supervises the vineyard work. Chase puts a lot of effort into making good wines. He cherishes the terroir and was one of the first to introduce sustainable viticulture to New Zealand back in 2002.
    Interview vol.01
  • Winemaker
    Ludwig Vanneron
    Ludwig graduated from Bordeaux University in 1998 and started his winemaking career working under Michel Rolland. He went on to become the technical manager of a well-known Chateau in Bergerac and started his own business in 2011. He is now a consultant for grape-growing and winemaking.
    Interview vol.02
    Interview vol.03
    Interview vol.04
chateau waimarama

Our Wine

  • SSS Cabernent Sauvignon 2009SSS Cabernent Sauvignon 2009
    All elements in complete harmony,a peerless wine
    The name SSS is given only to the highest-ranking wines selected by Shigeru Sato, the owner of Chateau Waimarama. The blending work is performed every year in June of the following year after vine harvesting to determine the style of wine. During the blending, Mr. Sato decided to select and bottle some as special wine, inspired by the excellent quality of the harvest of the year 2009. This original wine uses 100% Cabernet Sauvignon grown in the most sun-kissed lot from the highest part of the vineyard in the hills of Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand. Only six barrels were matured for 16 months in 100 percent new oak barrel, bottle aged in the calm environment of the winery. This is how the very precious 1,768 bottles (750 ml each) of 2009 were made.
    *Listed on Restaurant Sur Mesure par Thierry Marx at Mandarin Oriental Paris
    and L'Ecrin at Hotel de Crillon from April 2022
    • SWEET DRY
    • LIGHT BODIEDLIGHT BODIED FULL BODIEDFULL BODIED
    Contact Us
    ※We do not sell alcohol to under aged persons.
  • MINAGAWA
    detail
    MINAGAWA Reserve Selection 2013MINAGAWA Reserve Selection 2013
    Fully bodied wine with warm and dry weather
    One of the best vintage since 1998.
    Deep garnet color and very complex aromas with liquor of Blueberry and Casis,
    and vanilla.Enormously rich and dense fruitness but keeping perfect harmony with integrated abundant tannins.
    Decanter94P
    • SWEET DRY
    • LIGHT BODIEDLIGHT BODIED FULL BODIEDFULL BODIED
    Contact Us
    ※We do not sell alcohol to under aged persons.
    MINAGAWA Reserve Selection 2016 Kashiwa Sato Limited EditionMINAGAWA Reserve Selection 2016 Kashiwa Sato Limited Edition
    Black fruit aromas and spice flavors, round and silky texture
    Designed for an exhibition on the work of Kashiwa Sato at The National Art Center in Tokyo from 2 February 2021.
    An attractive ruby color. Black currant and blueberry aromas
    with a hint of spices and toasted notes. Perfectly ripened 5 international grapes provide
    deeply concentrated taste, silkiness and fruitness.
    • SWEET DRY
    • LIGHT BODIEDLIGHT BODIED FULL BODIEDFULL BODIED
    Contact Us
    ※This wine will be available for sale at The National Art Center shop during an exhibition.
    ※We do not sell alcohol to under aged persons.
  • EMIGAO
    detail
    EMIGAO Cabernet Sauvignon 2013EMIGAO Cabernet Sauvignon 2013
    An outstanding vintage with extraordinary ripened fruit
    Deep garnet color.Complex aroma with blackberry, cacao and vanilla.
    Very smooth texture with deep fruit concentration, a full bodied wine.
    Decanter95P
    • SWEET DRY
    • LIGHT BODIEDLIGHT BODIED FULL BODIEDFULL BODIED
    Contact Us
    ※We do not sell alcohol to under aged persons.
  • KIRARAKA
    detail
    KIRARAKA Syrah 2013KIRARAKA Syrah 2013
    Rich and elegant wine with the precise expression of Syrah
    Deep ruby color. Ripened black fruits flavor like blackberry,
    black cherry and plum, with Syrah spicy notes and a hint of white pepper.
    Sweet tasting with good freshness a well-balanced wine with smooth tannins.
    *Listed on Restaurant Sur Mesure par Thierry Marx at Mandarin Oriental Paris
    From April 2022
    • SWEET DRY
    • LIGHT BODIEDLIGHT BODIED FULL BODIEDFULL BODIED
    Contact Us
    ※We do not sell alcohol to under aged persons.
    KIRARAKA Syrah 2009KIRARAKA Syrah 2009
    Gentle and supple wine with comfortable tannins
    Deep ruby color. Sweet and mild aroma of blueberry and
    violet with a hint of cinnamon spice.
    The texture is well-balanced with beautiful acidity and fine tannins.
    The wine is smooth and supple, also has depth on the plate.
    *Listed on Restaurant Sur Mesure par Thierry Marx at Mandarin Oriental Paris
    and L'Ecrin at Hotel de Crillon from April 2022
    • SWEET DRY
    • LIGHT BODIEDLIGHT BODIED FULL BODIEDFULL BODIED
    Contact Us
    ※We do not sell alcohol to under aged persons.

News

2024.02
Chateau Weimarama 25th Anniversary Maker’s Dinner & Reception Video
Movie
2022.05
Tokyo Calendar July 2022 Japanese version
2021.12
Food paring event with Kyoto Makuzuyaki@Kyoto Hyotei　PDF version
2021.12
Food paring event with Kyoto Makuzuyaki@Kyoto Hyotei　Japanese version
2021.09
Forbes Japan November 2021 Japanese version
2021.09
Tokyo Calendar November 2021 Japanese version
2021.04
kashiwa Sato Limited Edition × Florilège Chef Mr.Kawate　Movie
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kashiwa Sato Limited Edition × Itsuka Chef Mr.Tamura　Movie
2021.04
Forbes Japan Web Article Japanese version
2021.03
Kashiwa Sato Limited Edition × Sushiya Ono Chef Mr.Ono　Movie
2021.03
Winart No.103 Spring 2021 Japanese version
2021.02
Kashiwa Sato Limited Edition × Nogizaka-Shin Sommelier Mr.Tobita　Movie
2021.02
Kashiwa Sato Limited Edition × Ăn Đi Sommelier Mr.Okoshi　Movie
2021.01
Forbes Japan Web Article Japanese version
2020.09
Forbes Japan November 2020 Japanese version
2020.09
Kashiwa Sato Limited Edition Release
2019.10
Fujingaho November 2019 Japanese version
2019.09
Tokyo Calendar November 2019 Japanese version
2019.09
Forbes Japan November 2019 Japanese version
2019.01
Goethe March 2019
2018.12
Forbes Japan February 2019 Japanese version
2018.11
Esquire Winter 2018
2018.11
Forbes Japan January 2019 Japanese version
2018.09
20 year celebration of Chateau Waimarama event at Per Se in NYC　Movie