Mahurangimatters 18 December 2013 | 9
Changes in the wind for Ascension Takatu Peninsula The new owners of Matakana’s Ascension Wine Estate are promising to bring the venue back to life, with plans for a “traditional” Italian restaurant, as well as a new outlet serving spit-roasted meat. The winery, which was placed in receivership in May, is expected to be handed over on December 20 to two Auckland families with a strong Italian and Macedonian background. Brothers Gino and Kiro Gurshin have a low profile in Auckland, despite having been in the hospitality industry for more than 30 years. The brothers, who both live in Remuera, own the Portofino restaurant chain, which has nine restaurants in Auckland, Hamilton, Taupo, New Plymouth and Wellington. They have also recently opened Osteria da Gino in Mount Maunganui. Companies Office records appear to show they also have a beef and sheep farm at Waipu. They have teamed up with brothers Alex and Mick Sipka to buy Ascension. The Sipka brothers also live in Remuera and have a background in installing Gino said he planned to offer fine dining options for telecommunications and security equipment in weddings, and was also keen to build another “little commercial premises, but more recently have house” on the front corner of the 7.6ha property, and branched out into residential and commercial set up an open rosticceria — a slow-food takeaway property investment. serving spit-roasted meat. According to their website, their investments “When you’re passing you can see it and you can include Canterbury Arcade in central Auckland. On smell it,” he enthused. LinkedIn, Alex Sipka lists his interests as “property, Gino — who joked about owning a Lamborghini new technology, hunting and wines”. and a Ferrari (he has previously owned property on Gino Gurshin told Mahurangi Matters the Ascension Paratai Drive) — said he also planned to “tidy up” purchase was “the best thing I ever bought”. “I am the driveway and parking, and build more fences. so happy. I always wanted to buy a winery and make He said he didn’t know much about making wine, wine. The place is very nice,” he said. but intended to get some help from friends in Italy. He explained that his mother came from Portofino, And he would definitely be keeping the Ascension while his father was Macedonian. “That makes me brand for the wine. tutti-frutti!” he exclaimed. “I love the name. I can’t even pronounce it but I He said he intended to rename the restaurant know what it means – beautiful. Even if I do nothing “Osteria Matakana”. In Italy, an osteria was to the place it is still beautiful.” originally a place in the mountains that served wine He said he had not had any contact with the Soljan family, and had no plans to get in touch. and simple food.
under threat ‘again’ The spectre of a 600-house development on the Takatu Peninsula, between Omaha and Tawharanui Regional Park, has raised its head again. In feedback on the draft Unitary Plan prior to its formal notification, Omaha Park Ltd – the company that has been trying to develop the land since 2001 – has asked Auckland Council to implement a bespoke planning framework. They say the land, which is zoned East Coast Rural, is “unique” and warrants a tailor-made plan which protects environmentally significant areas but still allows development in specifically designated areas. Both the former Rodney District Council and the Environment Court have already rejected Omaha Park’s development plans, which in the past included a range of commercial, residential, rural living and lifestyle sections, as well as visitor accommodation and open space areas, a 200-room hotel overlooking Omaha Bay, retirement village, golf course and aircraft activity. The strongest opposition to the development came from landowners at Omaha. At the annual Omaha Forum held on November 23, residents were told that the developers looked ready to “have another go”. Chair Graham Painter said some residual funds from the 2010 campaign were available to be spent on any professional input that might be needed to address the matter in the Unitary Plan process. Cr Penny Webster says that as part of the Unitary Plan process, commissioners will consider the history of the application and the fact that both Rodney Council and the Environment Court have already rejected it. The 650-hectare property is owned by international businessman Hermann Hauser.
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