History
Over 95 years of winemaking tradition
From humble beginnings in the Northland kauri gum fields early last century, Babich Wines have become one of New Zealand's most respected wineries. Their reputation for making excellent wine extends beyond New Zealand's shores.
Company Timeline:
1895
Babich Wines' founder Josip Petrov Babich was born in Dalmatia (part of modern day Croatia).
Link To Biography.
1910
Fourteen year old Josip emigrated to New Zealand to join his three brothers who were earning a living digging and selling kauri gum in New Zealand's far north.
Josip and Mara Babich
1911
The Babich brothers put a deposit on land in Henderson Valley, Auckland which later becomes the family homestead and company headquarters.
1912
Josip planted his first vineyard on the terraces above the Kaikino Swamp gum field.
1916
Josip made his first New Zealand wine, selling it in cask and bottle under the name Babich Brothers.
First Babich Winery, Kaikino
1919
Josip and his brothers moved to a 29-hectare (72 acres) wilderness property in Henderson Valley (West Auckland) that they had bought in 1911. Initially they established a small orchard and planted classical meunier vines.
1929
Josip married Mara Grgic and they have five children over the following years.
1939 - 1945
Demand for wine by Auckland based American troops on rest and recreation leave gave much needed cash flow enabling debt to be repaid for the first time in twenty years.
1949
Son Peter joined Josip on the family vineyard.
1950 - 1955
Adjoining property purchased and vineyard extended (Price Block).
1958
Son Joseph joined the family business.
1960 - 1965
24 Ha adjoining property purchased (Dodson Block) and vineyard expandedwith Muller Thurgau, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir and Pinotage vines.
Formation of Babich Road, Henderson Valley late 1930s
1967
24 Ha adjoining property purchased (Dodson Block) and vineyard expanded with Muller Thurgau, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir and Pinotage vines.
1977
First purchase of grapes from Gisborne for table wine production (Muller Thurgau). Winery re-equipped and re-modernised for table wine production.
1978
Sole remaining fruit orchard uprooted and replanted with Chardonnay vines.
Joe, Maureen and Peter Babich late 1990s
1980
First exports to Europe (Germany)- a highlight of Josip's winemaking career.
1981
Babich 1981 Pinot Noir, Henderson Valley, received the first Gold medal for the variety in New Zealand wine competitions.
1983
Josip Babich dies aged 87 years.
1984
First production of wine from the Gimblett Gravels region in Hawke's Bay
1987
First investment in Hawke's Bay vineyard in Korokipo Rd, Fernhill which became the first sustainably registered vineyard in New Zealand.
1989
New 36Ha Gimblett Rd Vineyard established in Hawke's Bay.
Babich Henderson Valley Winery and Vineyard
1991
Babich Wines processes 1000 tonnes annually. Wines are marketed nationally and exported to UK, Australia, Canada, Switzerland, Denmark and Germany. 75th Anniversary celebrated.
1994
Death of matriarch Mara Babich, aged 91years. Joe Babich receives Winemaker of the Year award at the Royal New Zealand Easter Show.
Peter, Josip and Joe Babich
1996
Company celebrates 80th anniversary. Introduction of new label "The Patriarch" in honour of founder, Josip Babich. Peter Babich honoured as Fellow(Life Member) of the Wine Institute of New Zealand Inc. Babich family homestead sold and removed from the property (area required for expansion). New bottling hall built and new bottling line installed (on homestead site). Joe Babich appointed Chief Wine Judge in the National Wine Competition for the sixth time. Change in management, Peter Babich, Chairman, Joe Babich, Managing Director.
1998
Company purchases Wakefield Downs, a 42Ha vineyard in the Awatere Valley, Marlborough.
2000
Shareholding in Rapaura Vintners Winery in Marlborough purchased thus enabling the company to maximize quality by producing the wines close to the South Island vineyards.
2001
David Babich (3rd generation, Peter's middle son) R.B.Oe (Roseworthy Bachelor of Oenology), B.Com, (Double Major Marketing and Management) joins the company.
2006
90th Anniversary Black Tie Dinner held at the winery on 2nd December for 260 guests, including Prime Minister Helen Clark and Waitakere City Mayor, Bob Harvey.
2007
Babich takes over Rongopai Wines and transfers wine production to the Henderson winery.
Joe Babich, Prime Minister Helen Clark, Peter Babich at 90th Anniversary celebrations
2008
The remaining old sections of the winery demolished and rebuilt to modern specifications. Company takes over distribution in the U.K with the formation of Babich Wines U.K.Ltd.
2009
Bio-Gro certification received for the Organic Block in Headwaters Vineyard in Marlborough. Commercial organic Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc released on the domestic and export markets.
2010
Babich lifts shareholding in Rapaura Vintners to 50%.
New Babich packaging for Classics range, 2011
2011
95th Anniversary.
New look labels and branding introduced.
FROM DESOLATE GUMFIELDS TO THE WORLD
The story of Josip (Joze or Joe) Petrov Babich and Babich Wines. By Erika Currie, with kind assistance from Maureen Babich.
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