Astrolabe has recently opened its first urban winery in Blenheim, Marlborough. Simon Waghorn, owner and winemaker at Astrolabe, explains his long-held vision, his journey to equip the winery, and his collaboration with Grapeworks NZ.

Background

Astrolabe Winery

Established in 1996 by winemaker Simon Waghorn, Astrolabe is family-owned and known for crafting distinctly “Marlborough” wines. 

Since Simon’s first vintage in 1982, he’s refined his “hands-off, gentle, and artisanal” approach to winemaking, crafting wines that authentically reflect the Marlborough terroir. This philosophy, grounded in simplicity and quality, now forms the core of Astrolabe’s identity. Astrolabe also involves Simon’s wife, daughters, and wider family, who are essential to the winery’s mission of maintaining a strong connection to its roots and community.

Astrolabe took a major step forward by building its own winery. This move consolidated its wine production, cellar door, office, and wine bar under one roof.

“It’s a dream to have our own facility finally,” says Simon. “When people come here, it’s a true urban winery. You can sit, have a glass of wine and some bruschetta, and only 15 metres away, you can watch someone putting red fruit through a Scharfenberger de-stemmer.”

Astrolabe’s commitment to sustainability, quality, and authenticity guides every decision it makes, from vineyard practices and wine production to the customer experience.

The Challenge

The Need for New Winemaking Equipment

Astrolabe needed simple, easy-to-operate winemaking equipment that was gentle with fruit and supported the winery’s minimalist winemaking style. For Simon, finding the right equipment was crucial to its success.

“Our winemaking here is as traditional and low-tech as possible,” says Simon. “We needed equipment that could handle grapes with a gentle touch,” he explained, “and I wanted a press that would do the job without being overly complicated.”

Building a family legacy around this commitment to quality wines, Simon intended to invest in equipment that would fulfil immediate needs and serve for generations.

“I was interested in ensuring the purchases would last through time. So, I didn’t want to leave my daughters and their partners with any gear, which I thought was anything less than top-drawer.”

The Solution

Partnering with Grapeworks NZ

To find the right equipment, Simon contacted Grapeworks NZ, initially attracted by their reputation and distribution of Scharfenberger, known for high-quality craftsmanship and user-friendliness.

Having known Dean Wishart, Sales Manager for Grapeworks NZ, Simon trusted his expertise and customer-focused approach from his work within the wine industry.

“I’ve known of Dean’s work and trust him as a supplier,” says Simon. “He listens to what you’re saying, takes notes and makes every effort to meet your requirements.”

Ultimately, Simon felt confident that Scharfenberger equipment from Grapeworks would be a reliable and high-quality choice for Astrolabe’s production needs.

 “The quality of Scharfenberger’s equipment made it an easy decision,” he concluded. “And, with the elevator, de-stemmer, and pumps, Grapeworks NZ could give us an attractive package.”

The Process

Working with Grapeworks NZ

The process of selecting and installing the equipment was smooth and well-coordinated. Dean from Grapeworks NZ played a pivotal role, providing prompt, straightforward communication and working closely with Simon to discuss specifications and configurations.

“Dean was fantastic—very knowledgeable and easy to deal with,” says Simon. “His background in winemaking meant he understood what we needed right away.”

Dean’s wine-making background and approachable nature made him an easy partner. He facilitated open dialogue about Astrolabe’s specific needs and addressed every detail.

“The whole installation process was smooth, and we were well-supported every step of the way,” says Simon.

Grapeworks NZ provided frequent communication and on-site assistance throughout the equipment installation, configuration, and commissioning. Simon explains,

“Dean took us through everything, including another winemaker and me, who was on site for the harvest, and subsequently, another staff member who joined just after the beginning of the harvest. So, we’ve had good training opportunities on the equipment.”

The Implementation

Scharfenberger Equipment as a Perfect Fit

Grapeworks NZ supplied Astrolabe with a Scharfenberger open-cage press, an elevator, a de-stemmer, and juice-handling pumps from Cazaux—all designed to meet the winery’s needs for gentle, high-quality juice extraction.

The Scharfenberger press offered precisely the blend of simplicity and robustness that Simon sought. It allowed for minimal phenolic pickup and efficient juice handling. The equipment’s ease of cleaning and durability further reinforced it as the right choice for a family winery focused on quality and longevity.

“We wanted a press that allowed for minimal phenolic extraction, and that’s what we’ve got”, says Simon. “It’s fantastic – simple, durable, and easy to clean.”

The Conclusion

A Successful Partnership and Positive Results

Although it’s still early, Simon has been pleased with the equipment’s performance and flexibility and is confident that it will continue to support their quality-focused production.

Simon explains, “We’re delighted with the results so far—this equipment has been everything we hoped for.”

Simon highly values Grapeworks NZ’s role in this journey, and his experience working with Dean has only reinforced his decision. For any future needs or maintenance, Astrolabe feels assured that Grapeworks NZ will continue to provide excellent support.

“I’d absolutely recommend Dean and Grapeworks NZ to other New Zealand wineries.”

Get in touch with Grapeworks NZ

If you’d like to discuss your winery equipment needs with Grapeworks NZ, call our experienced team today on (04) 390 3577.