Wooing Tree Estate
Following the success of Wooing Tree Vineyard, owners Steve and Thea Farquharson applied the same innovative, forward-thinking approach to develop the Wooing Tree Estate.
Those familiar with the Wooing Tree Vineyard will know that until 2020 it was situated on SH8 across the road from the “big fruit” of Cromwell. Steve says when they first purchased their land in 2004, there was little around them, but, over the years the town has grown and expanded, and they found themselves virtually in the middle of town. This led them into thinking about how the land was being used, and what it could be in the future.
"We decided to re-zone the land – to develop a boutique vineyard estate, offering opportunities for a mix of premium residential homes and selected hospitality and retail, designed to support the local wine and tourism industry."
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To help the Farquharsons see their plans come to fruition, they put together a team of like-minded individuals and formed a joint venture with investment specialists, Crawshaw Properties Limited and Tauranga-based Veros Property as the development manager.
Veros Property has led numerous successful residential and commercial projects around New Zealand, including extensive subdivisions, retail and education facilities and apartment complexes. Steve says, it was paramount to partner with a development manager that has the experience, knowledge and expertise required and, shares Farquarhsons vision.
“We will be retaining the vineyard identity of the land – some vines will be removed progressively as the residential stages are developed but we will retain the vines as a buffer zone around the site,” Lankshear says. “The Wooing Tree brand, vines and cellar door will remain a key point of difference and we will deliver a high-quality residential precinct that Cromwell will be really proud of.”
With the move to get out of the big cities and head to a lifestyle destination, this new neighbourhood has attracted the interest of families from across the country as well as from expats and retirees. “The Wooing Tree Estate will be a great place to bring up kids, live and work from home remotely or retire in,” says Lankshear. “This will be a special neighbourhood, surrounded by vines, green lanes and open space, and where the kids can walk to school. Where you can take a walk around the lake, go water skiing or fishing, climb a mountain, ride a mountain bike – then go out to one of a multitude of local restaurants or vineyards for dinner. It’s all right on your doorstep.”
“The Wooing Tree is the iconic symbol of our wine brand, and it also forms an important part of the history and folklore of the town of Cromwell – so, it is a focal point of Wooing Tree Estate. We will create pathways to it, and it will be surrounded by a reserve, giving the tree pride of place at the centre of the new development.”
