The chance discovery of a slice of Hawke’s Bay waterfront land sparked a passion project that criss-crossed the globe.

When the current owners fell under the spell of coastal Te Awanga during a visit to Hawke’s Bay in 2001, a chain of events unfolded for an abandoned former deer farm overlooking the Pacific Ocean and embraced by the sandstone headland of Cape Kidnappers.

These global citizens had vision, ambition, tenacity – and a love of fine wine. The 32-hectare landholding was purchased and stage by stage, Elephant Hill Estate took shape.

Vineyards were planted towards the sea and up the hillside in 2003. The impeccably detailed winery-restaurant pavilion designed by Central Otago architect John Blair, clad in pre-aged copper and orientated east-west to face the Cape with sweeping ocean views, was completed in 2008 in time for the estate’s first commercial vintage.

A refined lodge-style residence with impeccable connection to the vineyard, views out to the sea and Cape Kidnappers, plus three self-contained guest suites, provides exclusive accommodation options for an owner and/or the Hawke’s Bay visitor market, and rounds out the estate.

Elephant Hill produces premium small batch, hand-crafted and world-class wines from vineyards in three wine-growing sub-regions of Hawke’s Bay. Each has a particular provenance and microclimate – from the seaside Te Awanga home vineyard, to the inland free-draining loams of the Bridge Pa Triangle, and the stony Gimblett Gravels districts.

Tradition meets innovation in the bottle, with wines including syrah, chardonnay, viognier, sauvignon blanc and pinot noir paying tribute to the terroir of the distinctive vineyards and the direction of head winemaker, Hugh Crichton, with distribution to established local and international markets.

Elephant Hill’s Te Awanga cellar door and restaurant are currently open for lunch and wine tastings Friday through Monday, for Friday evening wine bar service, for special events by arrangement, and for selected Hawke’s Bay event experiences.

Duncan Ross of Bayleys says Elephant Hill is a legacy to Hawke’s Bay and now it is time for this trophy asset to pass to new ownership.

“The Elephant Hill brand stands on its own and the opportunity for someone to take Elephant Hill into the future with fresh energy and passion is exciting.”

Elephant Hill’s vineyard, winery/restaurant and lodge accommodation are for sale by tender either as one entity, individual parcels, or in combination.

“This is a premier offering in an outstanding location and is unmatched in today’s market.

“With the returning international visitor market, Hawke’s Bay’s vibrant events scene, and the region’s fine wine reputation, Elephant Hill will proudly stand the test of time.

“We invite interested parties to talk to us about the myriad options that this property offers as there are some exciting opportunities to explore.”

Click here for more information on the listing.