About us

Hugo and Wendy Bunny now run the Waipipi Vineyard, which was established by Hugo's father, Paul Bunny in 1993.

The Beginning
In the beginning, the ground where the vineyard now stands wasn't ideal for growing grapes. A volcanic pan created by the Lake Taupo eruption would have made it impossible for the roots of the young vines to reach the water table. The ground had to be ripped before the first vines were planted in 1993.

The vines established, and the vineyard's first crop came in 1996. In the years that followed, the vines flourished in the stony, free-draining soil and warm climate.

The Vineyard
The vineyard is now 7½ hectares in total with nearly 13,000 grape vines planted. We grow the following varieties, which we use in our own wines:

Winemakers
All Waipipi wines are made in the Wairarapa by skilled local winemakers.

Our Chenin Blanc Methode Traditionelle is made at Loopline Vineyard in Masterton by Ian McGovern and Frank Parker.

Karl Heinz Johner of Johner Estate makes our Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Chardonnay, Henry Pinot Noir and Waipipi Red. Karl is a winemaker with over twenty years' experience. He splits his time between his two vineyards: one in East Taratahi, New Zealand and the other in his hometown of Bischoffingen, Germany.