This Month we are heading back to the East Coast to visit Askerne Estate, an award-winning, family-run winery nestled in Havelock North in the Hawkes’ Bay wine region. With a rich family heritage, award-winning wines, and a commitment to quality and sustainability, Askerne Estate Winery is the place to go for a memorable wine experience.
PEOPLE
Askerne Estate Winery is a family affair built over many years and several generations – Askerne Estate Winery came to life in April 1993 when wine lovers John and Kathryn Loughlin purchased the original 11.6 hectare site in Te Mata Mangateretere Road. John and Kathryn had studied wine-making and viticulture in the previous years with Kathryn, as the more diligent student, achieving the higher grades. They called the property Askerne, being the olde English name of Kathryn’s birthplace, Askern in Yorkshire, England.
The first wines were made at the Waimarama Estate Winery (then owned by Dr John Loughlin, John’s father) in 1996. These wines were released under their initial white label with green trees. Planting continued year after year as funding allowed and the product range broadened.In February 1997, the Askerne cellar door was opened to the public. It also sold Waimarama Estate’s red wines, including the then famous Waimarama Dessert Cabernet. The 1997 vintage produced very fine wines from Sauvignon Blanc, and Chardonnay which confirmed the potential of the site.
Askerne commenced exporting with wines from the 1997 vintage and then in 1998, Dr John Loughlin sold Waimarama Estate Winery. From the 1999 vintage onward, Askerne’s wines were made on site. The cellar door building was expanded to accommodate wine-making activities. In 2022 they purchased an “L” shaped 12-hectare property to the South and East of the original Askerne property taking their total site area to 32 hectares. Late in 2023 they opened a cycle track to their cellar door, up from the cycleway along the Tuki Tuki River stopbank, creating a new way for visitors to reach Askerne.
To read all about their history, take a look at their comprehensive timeline here:
https://www.askernewines.co.nz/award-winning-winery-hawkes-bay
PLACE & CELLAR DOOR
The Askerne Estate Cellar Door is conveniently located for driving (if you are doing a wine trail by car, they do recommend having a designated sober driver.) It also has direct access to the Tukituki cycle trail, it’s the perfect stop on your visit to the Hawke’s Bay region.
Once there, you can experience estate-grown wines your way with guided tastings, wine flights, and scenic seating spots in an idyllic vineyard setting. Discover estate-grown wines, including exclusive releases and the Icon series & enjoy warm, family-run hospitality with gourmet build-your-own picnics and child friendly, dog-friendly spaces.
The Askerne Cellar Door have a choice of Wine flights with five flight options, or a more in depth Structured Tasting.
A Wine Flight – A wine flight is a selection of several small pours of different wines, served together accompanied by notes about the wines. This is self-paced, giving visitors the chance to taste new wines in your own time, and is a great option to pair with one of their ‘build-your-own‘ gourmet picnics. They offer a range of individually themed flights, each showcasing a curated selection, with a description of each wine provided for you.
A Structured Tasting – During this tasting session, you’ll be able to choose up to six wines from their extensive range to try. One of their knowledgeable team members will take you through the tasting, offering you more information about the wines and the flavour notes you will be smelling and tasting. This is a great option if you want a more in-depth experience.
The cellar door is open seven days a week, welcoming you from 10am to 5pm. To find out more about Askerne Estate visit:
https://www.askernewines.co.nz/cellar-door-wine-tasting-hawkes-bay
WINES
Askerne Estate produce a wide range of wines, from many grape varieties and styles, and have a library of back vintages, with over 30 wines currently available on their website. You can purchase wines both online, or if in you’re the Hawke’s Bay at the Cellar Door.
White Wines include, Chardonnay, Semillon, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc & Viognier.
Red Wines include Merlot, Barbera, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and a Carménère Syrah & Mourvèdre blend.
Askerne Estate also produce a bubbles, Rosés, several ‘blended’ wines and some luscious dessert wines including a Dessert Cabernet!
To Purchase Askerne Wines online visit:
https://www.askernewines.co.nz/best-wine-selection-hawkes-bay
JB Reviews Wines from Askerne
Askerne Estate Pinot Gris 2025
In the glass, bright pale straw-gold in colour, medium viscosity. In the nose, fragrant, sweet florals then aromas of green apple, juicy baked pear & notes of tangelo / mandarin citrus. On the palate, juicy & fruity with spiced pear, peach & nectarine flavours, a lovely silky texture & mouthfeel from a touch of oak, concentrated spice, zesty citrus acidity & some heat from 14% resulting in an off dry & very moreish finish. Be great with a spicy Thai dish. Excellent.
Askerne Estate Gewurztraminer 2025
In the glass, glossy clear pale lemon-gold in colour, nice oily viscosity. In the nose aromas of Turkish delight, rose petals, honeycomb, mandarin citrus & ginger spice. On the palate, it’s layered and textured, with flavours of baked pear, preserved lemons, more Turkish delight, minus the chocolate coating, loads of ginger & five spice, it’s zesty, complex, luscious & downright delicious. Long full flavoured finish – another fabulous wine for spicy Asian food. Excellent!
Askerne Estate Reserve Chardonnay 2024
In the glass, bright shiny straw – gold in colour, great legs. In the nose, aromas of ripe peach, nectarine, preserved lemon toasty, nutty oak notes follow. On the palate, rich & creamy mouthfeel, packed with juicy fruit flavours reflecting the nose, peach, nectarine, pineapple & lime citrus. A grippy acidity is softened with buttery mouthfeel & texture from time on lees in oak & partial malo fermentation. Really salivating long finish, leaves you wanting another glass (so I did!) Excellent.
Askerne Estate Cabernet Franc 2022
In the glass, deep semi translucent garnet red, lighter at the rim. In the nose, it’s quite fragrant with aromas of red & black berries, savoury earth, dried herb notes, some ‘vanilla biscuit’ spice in the background. On the palate, it’s rich & dry, but juicy & summer berry-fruit driven, beautifully textured with silky, almost powdery tannins, fine grained oak, a youthful acid grip – Concentrated long fruity finish. Excellent!
Askerne Estate Reserve Merlot / Cab Sav / Malbec 2021
In the glass, semi translucent deep garnet / purple lighter at the rim. In the nose inviting aromas of smoke, blackberries, boysenberries, dark plum, notes of coffee, choccy & spice too. On the palate, rich concentrated dark berry & plum flavours, reflecting the nose, hints of savoury, dried herb, medium bodied, nicely textured, with silky tannins & well integrated acidity. It’s complex & layered with a powerful, dry but unctuous, long fruity finish. Aging beautifully.
Askerne Estate Late Harvest Semillon 2023
In the glass, glossy deep golden coloured, oily, liquid gold! In the nose, enticing, sweet aromas of dried sultanas, apricot, honeycomb, burnt caramel & ginger spice! On the palate it’s juicy & concentrated with flavours of dried apricots, raisins, toffee apples & baking spice. It’s rich & creamy & oily & succulent with a good balance of residual sugar & crisp lemony acidity. The finish just goes on & on. A fabulous sticky!
