Nestled on the picturesque shores of Lake Karāpiro in the Waikato region near Cambridge, New Zealand, Takapoto Estate is much more than a boutique vineyard. Spanning 600 acres of rolling, terraced landscape, this sprawling property serves as an extraordinary eco-sanctuary, a premium working farm, and one of the country’s leading elite showjumping venues. Owned by Mitch and Kate Plaw since its inception in 2012, the estate has established a remarkable legacy built on sustainable luxury and an absolute dedication to quality.
Award-Winning Wines with a Sense of Place
At the heart of the estate is its winemaking operation, managed today by head winemaker Alex Coldicutt. Takapoto’s home vineyard thrives under a unique “lake effect,” where morning fog and protective breezes off Lake Karāpiro naturally moderate temperatures to protect the canopy. Under the homegrown Crossing Pointrange, these vines yield premium Chardonnay, Rosé, and Bordeaux-style red blends.
To complement their estate harvest, Takapoto sources fruit from regions that do them best. Their flagship Pinot Noir comes from world-class sub-regions in Central Otago (Bannockburn and Gibbston), while additional Chardonnay comes from Hawke’s Bay and Sauvignon Blanc from Marlborough.
This deliberate approach has yielded immense critical acclaim: the estate’s early vintages spectacularly won the Pinot Noir Trophy and New Zealand Producer of the Year at the prestigious International Wine and Spirit Competition (IWSC) in both 2017 and 2018.
