Te Awanga Estate cellar door set to reopen as Skyflower Estate under new owners
A popular coastal Hawke’s Bay vineyard cellar door and restaurant that closed two years ago is set to reopen under a new name and owners.
Nestled in the foothills hugging the Cape Coast, Te Awanga Estate Winery was a popular summer spot where diners could enjoy local wine and pizza with panoramic views from Cape Kidnappers to Napier.
But in October 2024, the vineyard, cellar door and restaurant were put on the market and have been closed since.
In January, Te Awanga Estate entered voluntary liquidation, while the winery, vineyard and restaurant remained on the market.
In June, the property sold to new owners, who have been media-shy.
Swift Wines owner Lauren Swift had lived near the property in Hāumoana for the past 10 years.
She said the former cellar door was a favourite for its relaxed vibes and location.
Swift Wines had been operating its cellar door at the old Stonecroft site in Gimblett Gravels until the property was sold to Radburnd Cellars in October.
Needing a new location for the cellar door, Swift’s husband, Henry Williams, tracked down the new owners to see if a partnership was feasible.
“We jumped on a call, we met them, we all had really good feelings about each other, and a lot of values and things aligned. So it just kind of happened,” Swift said.
“I see quite a long future with them.”
Swift called the new owners private people, who were living overseas while the property was rejuvenated.
“Their intention is to move back here, and they’ve got some really exciting plans.”
The new cellar door was set to be renamed Skyflower Estate, the owners’ wine brand, offering wines, platters and pizza in an idyllic setting.
Swift said there wasn’t a set opening date, but she was working towards opening by November 23.
“If it all comes off, I’ll be stoked about it, but we’ll see.”
Swift said her team was working their “little butts off” setting up a new menu, wine showcase and giving the restaurant a facelift.
The official opening date will be advertised on Swift Wines’ Facebook page.
Jack Riddell is a multimedia journalist with Hawke’s Bay Today and has worked in radio and media in the UK, Germany and New Zealand.