Jo and John Ashworth

John has painted a canvas to tell the story of the Junction Vineyard.

He draws together the Ruggles Truck from Joanne’s family, his Cantabrian Rugby Roots and the north facing red metal terraces of their farm.

Jo’s Family originally owned the Ruggles and Jo and John were able to bring it back into the family.

“It was going to Invercargill to a Truck Museum. Bill Richardson heard our story so he stopped, bought it back and said if we really wanted it we could have it.”

It took John a while to come around to using his All Black pedigree to promote their wine. Now he modestly says “we are pushing the rugby along a little bit.”

He is enthusiastic about the development of his wine. He talks of the cool nights and hots days that are good for Pinot, the long cool growing season allows for intense aromatic award winning wines.

His grapes are subject to a changeable climate that results in either gooseberry tones similar to Marlborough or the tropical fruit flavours of Hawks Bay.

His son Leith is the wine maker, combining the knowledge he has gained in studying the craft in NZ and France.

The Junction Vineyard, owned by former All Black front row forward John Ashworth and family, is located at the junction of State Highway 2 with State HIghway 50 on the windswept stony gravels of the Takapau Plains in Central Hawkes Bay, New Zealand.

This small, boutique vineyard enjoys the long, cool Central Hawkes Bay growing seasons, allowing son and winemaker Leith to naturally produce award-winning, intense, aromatic wines which are very distinctive and unique for you to enjoy.

Wines currently available:

2006 Pinot Gris
2007 Pinot Gris (Bronze 2008 Royal Easter Show)
2006 Riesling Three Sisters
2007 Riesling
2008 Side Step Gewurztraminer
2007 Sauvingnon Blanc
2008 Free Run Sauvignon Blanc
2008 Corner Post Sauvignon Blanc
2008 CHB Chardonnay
2008 Front Row Pinot Noir

Junction of Highway 2 & highway 50,
r.d.2 takapau, central hawkes bay,
new zealand.
0064 68558321

http://www.junctionwines.com/