Westbrook Winery

11/09/2026

Round 3, ding-ding! Ahead of the Cellar Door re-opening in October, we are doing a refresher course for anyone who may have forgotten what's on the Westbrook w**e list.

Number 3 is the new kid on the block, Albariño Westbrook 2025!

First, a little background. About 6 years ago, the team decided to mix things up on the home estate and plant a new grape variety to complement our existing vines. After considerable thought and taste tests (for research purposes only), we decided on Albariño. Popular in north-west Spain and Portugal, it is a white grape with thick skin and a loose bunch architecture, which allows it to cope with our somewhat humid environment. Albariño is also blessed with Riesling-esque aromatics and vibrant acidity, which makes it a perfect choice for our Waimauku clay soils. We’ve planted the block in three stages with different clones - some for texture, some for aromatics and so far so good!

The tasting notes are as intriguing as the w**e; "This is our third foray into Waimauku Albariño, a tempest storm of lemon and lime blossoms, bristling with a peacock’d floral flair and a briny pertness that beguiles. Forthright with laced grace, structured and firm of cheek. Our watch continues with intrigue."

Definitely something to try in a w**e flight, if you're looking for something new and fresh and on the dry side!

We are so looking forward to opening in October.

Follow us here for updates and opening date info.
Email any booking inquiries to [email protected].
Sign up for the newsletter here https://www.westbrook.co.nz/

~ Team Westbrook

10/09/2026

🌱Budburst in the new Chardonnay block!

Week 1: It's the most wonderful time of the year (on a vineyard, at least!) as our vines burst into life again. It is exciting to witness the first flush of spring growth along the canes, and it is also very rewarding to see, because a whole lot of hard work goes into the vines during those dormant winter months, with pruning, mulching and then tucking/training etc. It can look like nothing much is happening until suddenly, whoop, there it is 🌱

This first flush of green also holds the promise of another round of stunning Westbrook w**es so cheers to Vintage 2027! The Waimauku estate is home to our multi-award-winning Chardonnay and Pinot Gris, the quiet superstar Malbec, and the newby, the Albariño, which continues to impress with each vintage.

What's next? The tiny buds turn into shoots and leaves, and then there's the magical moment when the first flower clusters appear, which will one day become the grapes 🍇 which end up in your glass 🍷 We will keep sharing this beautiful journey with you.

We are looking forward to opening the Cellar Doors in October. We can't wait to see you all again!

Be sure to follow us for updates and tag a mate!
Email booking inquiries to [email protected].
Learn more about Westbrook here www.westbrook.co.nz

~ Team Westbrook

03/09/2026

Round 2, ding-ding! Ahead of the Cellar Door re-opening in October, we are doing our civic duty and reminding you of the liquid delights awaiting you. The best way to do that is to work our way through the Westbrook w**e list.

Number 2 on the w**e list is... drum roll please... Crackling Rose! This is our number one seller, as it should be, it's all bubbles at the back and party at the front. The Waimauku 2025 Rose is drinking VERY nicely out of the tank (one must test such things and we did put it in a glass first) but it's not actually in the bottle with those yummy little bubbles just yet. We did manage to track down the special pressure caps, and the bottling team are standing by, so it will happen soon (and all the Crackling Rose fans go wild!).

In true James Rowan-speak, the w**emaker describes it like this... "An evocative saunter along a perfumed night-lit garden path…flirting, but not frivolous, lifts of spring raspberry, heady lily and red guava. The flicker of effervescence sparks across a shimmering hood caught in a fanciful dance…peeking from behind a shoji screen…embellished with just the lightest of paua inlay…vibrant, taut and lithe..."

Love, love, love it.

Follow us for updates on the opening 🎉
Email any booking inquiries to; [email protected] 📨
Sign up for the newsletter here; westbrook www.westbrook.co.nz

02/09/2026

🌱There is a real sense of anticipation in the air right now... we are on the lookout for BUDBURST 🌟So exciting!

When you look at this winter shot taken in the Malbec block, the absence of any foliage could certainly trick you into thinking that it's a slow news day in the vineyard but actually, Very Important Work is going on both below and above ground.

Below ground, the vines expand their root system and soak up nutrients from the soil, which gives them a head start on the next growing cycle. They also cleverly regulate their water intake because too much water inside a vine's plant cell can freeze and damage it, affecting future harvests. So, although the plants may be dormant, they are most certainly not hibernating.

Above ground, there is spraying and mulching, which helps to feed and protect the vines, as well as wire positioning, ahead of the anticipated budburst. This ensures that the new growth can be tucked and trained into the optimal growing position.

Our vineyard manager and his team are literally out there come rain, hail or shine, (or frost - and gosh, there have been some hard frosts this year!) and the work they do is critical to the success of the next vintage.

🕰Time will tell, of course! 🍇When it all comes together though, my-oh-my, the Westbrook Malbec is a fine drop indeed 🍷

Follow us for updates on our October opening.
Email booking inquiries to [email protected]
91 years-and-counting - learn more here www.westbrook.co.nz

01/09/2026

🥂🍾 Cheers! We can't wait to see you all when we throw the doors open once again in October. In case you have forgotten what liquid delights await you when we do, let's start at the top of the Westbrook w**e list!

This is our oh-so-delicious bubbles, made with home-grown grapes, aka Méthode Brut Rosé Waimauku 2020, the glamour queen. Winemaker James Rowan describes it like this... "A promiscuous ménage of Waimauku Malbec and Pinot Noir – presented as an effervescent dalliance, by traditional means. Redolent of wild summer berry sorbet and cherry coulis – decadent indulgence."

We like it, we like it a lot 🥰
Some of us, okay one of us, really really really likes it 😍

Follow us for updates on the opening 🎉
Email any booking inquiries to [email protected] 📨
Learn about Westbrook here (you may be tested )www.westbrook.co.nz 📝

01/09/2026

🍕🧀🍷Who else is looking forward to this? Bring on a long lazy summer of good w**e, good food and good times in the sunshine ☀

Counting down to the re-opening of the Cellar Door... be sure to follow us for updates and tag a friend who needs to know!

Email inquiries to [email protected]
or visit www.westbrook.co.nz to learn more about us.

26/08/2026

This International Dog Day we'd like to introduce you the very first 'Pupper Of Westbrook'! Meet Sula - pictured here with a little cart at the original vineyard in Henderson. The cart would be filled with food and drink for smoko and Sula would go and find the workers, wherever they were, and then take herself home again! Clever Sula!

Well-behaved dogs are welcome at Westbrook - we'll look forward to seeing our two- and four-legged friends come October, and getting some cute pics to add to our 'Puppers Of Westbrook' album.

Follow our Facebook or Insta page or sign up for our newsletter (via the website) for updates on our re-opening.

20/08/2026

As we look forward to the re-opening, it somehow seems fitting to take a little time to look backwards, to the beginning of the Westbrook story (link to the full article in the comments). New Zealand European settlers with a strong tradition of w**emaking and w**e drinking played a key role in New Zealand’s w**e industry. The Ivicevich family was in the middle of it, establishing the original Henderson estate in 1935 (pictured below).

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Dalmatians
Dalmatians (Croatians) had the most significant influence on New Zealand’s w**e industry. In the 1890s prejudice and then legislation forced them from the kauri gumfields where they had worked, so Dalmatian families began planting grapes and producing w**e, mainly around the West Auckland area and in Hawke’s Bay.

The three Frankovich brothers were among the first to turn to w**e production. Between 1899 and 1913, they expanded their vineyard on the Whangaparāoa Peninsula until the 4.5-hectare property produced over 18,000 litres of w**e a year. Fourteen Dalmatian vineyards were working around Herekino by 1906. In 1916 Josip Babich and his brothers planted vines at their Kaikino property, then shifted to Henderson in 1919.

More Dalmatian w**eries started in the 1930s and 1940s. These included Selaks (planted by Marino Selak from 1934); Panorama (later Westbrook), planted by Mick and Tony Ivicevich from 1935; Nobilo (planted by Nikola Nobilo from 1943); Soljans (planted by Frank and Rona Soljan from 1939); San Marino (later Kumeu River), where founder Mate Brajkovich crushed his first grapes in 1944; and Delegat’s (planted by Nikola Delegat from 1947). Of the 80 or so small vineyards around West Auckland in the 1950s, Dalmatian families owned about 90%.

Follow our page for more fun facts about our history and our future!

18/08/2026

It’s a bluebird day at Westbrook Winery, as the makeover continues. Our merry team of workers are doing an amazing job of jooshing up the building and deck, water-blasting and painting anything that sits still for a minute! Follow us for updates on our October opening 😃 🍷 🍇 🍕 🧀 🍾

13/08/2026

WE ARE HIRING - please share around and tag a friend who should know...

Cellar Door Manager https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1GqZzE6VQ1/

Kitchen Managers (looking for 2 to cover 7-day roster)
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1JfbRpKz9K/

Winery & Vineyard Labourer
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1DSo8gjTxE/

These posts are also pinned at the top of our Westbrook Winery page.

NZ Residents only, thank you.

UPDATED 27/08/26 - THIS ROLE HAS BEEN FILLED.

We are looking for someone interested in the viticulture and w**e industry to join our team. Training will be provided to the successful applicant.

The role;
This role is predominantly vineyard labour, but will extend into other areas of operations, including grounds maintenance and w**ery/cellar work as required. It encompasses all aspects of the viticulture and w**e industry including, but not limited to, pruning, planting, shoot removal, tucking, leaf plucking, harvesting and grape processing as well as machine operation, cellar work and general machinery/w**ery cleaning. Other duties include grounds maintenance e.g. spot-spraying with a backpack. This is a very labour-intensive role.

We are looking for someone who has/is;
• The ability to work unsupervised, often in a solitary capacity, but also be able to work well in a team.
• Physically fit and strong with a genuine love of being outdoors.
• Willing and able to work in a wide range of weather conditions.
• A great work ethic and a willingness to work early mornings, late nights and weekends when required during the growing/harvest season (Feb-April).
• A willingness to work between 5 and 7 days per week during the growing/harvest season.
• A desire to work long-term and become a part of a close-knit team.
• GROWSAFE and fork hoist certification would be advantageous (though not necessary).
• Have reliable transport to the w**ery in Waimauku.

Applicants for this position must have NZ residency.
Applications must include a cover letter detailing why you believe you are well suited for this role, and only applications with a cover letter will be considered. Please have your application in by the 21st August 2026.

Please send to: [email protected]