Kumeu River

Auckland

Established in 1944, Kumeu River Wines is a multi-generational business, starting with Mick and Kate Brajkovich, who arrived in New Zealand from Croatia in 1937, to their grandshildren and great grandchildren who run the company today.

Just as the Brajkovich family has grown, so too has the winery itself. Extensions and additions mark the milestones that have seen business adapt and expand over the years. Today, the winery produces around 250,000 bottles annually from 30 hectares of its own vineyards in Kumeu, and another 10 hectares from local growers

Theirs is a story which parallels the New Zealand wine industry, reflecting a journey of enormous endeavour, and their rise to become globally recognised. The Chardonnay wines of Kumeu River have gained a strong foothold within the international market, receiving outstanding accolades.

Head Winemaker

Michael Brajkovich MW

Maté Brajkovich was 12 years old when he moved to New Zealand in 1937, bringing with him a heritage of winemaking from his village in Croatia. His son Michael was the same age when he too decided he would become a winemaker, carrying on the family legacy.
His journey and his considerable is expertise were recognised in 1989, when he became New Zealand’s first Master of Wine.

As a winemaker, Michael is recognised as producing world class Chardonnay. One of the defining characteristics of Kumeu River Chardonnays is they are made in the old world style of classic French wine making. Rather than having a heavy oak presence from aging in a barrel, and so they are lighter, elegant and flinty, designed to be enjoyed at the table.

Unique Chardonnay Style

Kumeu River’s 30 hectares of vineyards, located in Kumeu, northwest of Auckland, is renowned for producing world-class Chardonnay, shaped by the soils and the maritime climate - with high humidity, mild summers, and long growing seasons. The result is a distinct, elegant, and mineral-driven Chardonnay style unique to Kumeu.

Soils are predominantly clay overlying a sandstone base, which allows them to retain sufficient water to hydrate the vines, even in the summer months. Therefore, the vineyard doesn’t require irrigation, a factor that is critical to the quality of Kumeu River’s grapes.
The vineyards trellising optimises the vines’ exposure to light and increase grape maturity, and all of the grapes are harvested by hand, and treated with similar care and respect in the winery too.