Iconic Coleraine 26 Vintage Vertical to auction in Hawke's Bay next later this month

New Zealand Wine lovers need no introduction to Te Mata Estate’s iconic Coleraine. The premium Bordeaux style blend is made from grapes sourced from the finest grape parcels available to Te Mata Estate. With the current vintage (2020) retailing at $140 - if it hasn’t already sold out - the sky is the limit when it comes to the potential price-tag of 26 vintages as one single lot.

The sale of the rare and prestigious lot will benefit Cranford Hospice, who are the annual beneficiaries of The Hawke’s Bay Wine Auction which takes place on September 17th.

This from Hawke’s Bay Wine:

Remarkable Te Mata Estate Coleraine 26 vintage vertical for auction

Organisers of New Zealand’s oldest and most prestigious wine auction are looking forward to the much anticipated 30th Hawke’s Bay Wine Auction.  The in-person event is being held in just over a month on 17th September at ToiToi HB Arts and Events Centre. 

The impressive auction lot line-up includes bespoke, one-off wines from some of the most prestigious wineries in Hawke’s Bay, collaborations between winemakers, luxury accommodation and restaurants, one travel package and one feature art piece which this year is by John Lancashire.  This year we have a truly remarkable 26 vintage vertical of Te Mata Estate Coleraine, which has been generously contributed by one of our long-term sponsors, Isaacs Plumbing, Pumping and Electrical.   

Since the release of the first vintage in 1982, Te Mata Coleraine has established itself as New Zealand’s greatest red wine, it’s annual release selling out in just weeks. For serious wine lover’s, Coleraine is a “must have”, and the cornerstone for every NZ wine collector’s cellar. Coleraine is a standout at NZ’s wine auctions, both commercial and charity. In March ’21, a single 750ml bottle of Te Mata Coleraine sold for more than $1,000, a new record for any NZ wine at a commercial auction.

Te Mata Estate, Chief Executive – Nick Buck, said “Coleraine collections being offered for sale are very rare, especially verticals like this, due to the time it takes to assemble them. We know of only five verticals that have ever been offered for sale. Their rarity always creates extra interest. Isaac’s donation of this 26-bottle Coleraine vertical to the Hawkes Bay Wine Auction for Cranford Hospice is extraordinarily generous and a fantastic opportunity for the successful bidder.”

Isaacs Plumbing, Pumping and Electrical, Director - Gavin Streeter, says “Isaacs are wrapped to be a part of this event! We have been a sponsor for a number of years, but this is our first auction lot. This donation has real meaning for us, having had a team member go through Cranford recently. We will be there on the day and look forward to the auction, here’s hoping that we set another record for this amazing charity!”

Coleraine derives its name from the town in Northern Ireland where John Buck’s late grandfather was born. It is an assemblage of the finest wines produced from distinct plots within Te Mata’s oldest Havelock Hills vineyards, first planted in 1892. A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc, it displays the concentration, complexity and elegance found in the world’s finest wines. It is purchased by collectors, traders, investors and wine lovers and is the most valued and searched for NZ wine in the secondary market.

This Te Mata Coleraine vertical of 26 vintages covers the span 1994 – 2020 (minus non producing 2012), opportunities to acquire a piece of New Zealand heritage like this do not come up very often. 

There are only a few tickets remaining to the Hawke’s Bay Wine Auction on Saturday 17th, purchase yours now to Celebrate, Sip, Savour and bid.  Absentee bids are available for those unable to attend, details can be found on the event website.  This ‘Bonus Lot’ will be auctioned after the Lot 21 – The Ambassadors Blend. 

Tickets are available at hawkesbaywineauction.co.nz, numbers are limited and typically sell out.