Akarua Winery

Akarua’s story began before any vines were planted in Central Otago.

Former Dunedin mayor Sir Clifford Skeggs and his wife Lady Marie Skeggs had been holidaying in Central Otago since the 1970s. As Central Otago’s viticultural revolution progressed in the 1980’s, they purchased land in 1995 and planted Akarua’s first vines on Cairnmuir Road in Bannockburn in 1996.

Beginning as the first, large-scale commercial winery and expanding to 48 hectares in 2001, Akarua is a label that covers all tiers of the wine industry and is second-generation Skeggs family owned and operated.

David Skeggs, son of Sir Clifford and Lady Marie, is the Managing Director and their wines are made by award-winning winemaker Andrew Keensleyside, who is complemented by Mark Naismith, Akarua’s viticulturist.

Owning vineyards throughout the Cromwell basin and having their winery in Bannockburn, Akarua proudly uses 100% estate grown grapes to make all of their wines. They produce a wide range of wines, from quaffable whites and rose’s, to single vineyard pinot noir and even vintage and non-vintage sparkling wines and dessert wine!