ABOUT 400 people gathered to celebrate the life of wine pioneer Nick Nobilo at Holy Trinity Cathedral in Parnell on Tuesday. The humble Huapai man was also remembered at his local church, St Patrick's, and honoured with a special Mass at the Vatican. Mr Nobilo was a man whose passions were family and wine.
In 1937, two years after he arrived in New Zealand from Lumbarda, Croatia Mr Nobilo wrote to his childhood sweetheart Zuva asking her to marry him.
Because single women couldn't travel by themselves Zuva was married by proxy in Croatia with Mr Nobilo's brother standing in for him. Zuva travelled six weeks by boat to join him. Mr Nobilo's son Nick Jr says their romantic reunion is "the kind of story movies are made of".
"Dad was a kind and loving person, a very strong family man who believed in fairness. He was hardworking and a great gardener who loved nature," says Nick Jr. Mr Nobilo was an elder of St Patrick's Catholic Church in Huapai. A vigil rosary was held in his honour on Monday. And son Stephen Nobilo, who was in Rome when he received news of his father's death, organised a special Mass at the Vatican for him.
The founder of Nobilo Wines, who began growing wine grapes in Huapai in 1943, passed away peacefully on August 29. His family's winemaking tradition dates back 300 years and he is credited with establishing what has become one of the largest wine companies in New Zealand.
Mr Nobilo was a craftsman, making most of his winemaking tools by hand. He was known to pour the concrete for his cellar and make his own wine casks. The Nobilo family were largely responsible for breaking the New Zealand wine industry away from hybrid grape varieties and fortified wines, moving towards classic varietals.
Helensville MP John Key says Nick Nobilo displayed a visionary attitude towards wine-making in New Zealand as the patriarch of the Nobilo wine family. "His can-do attitude saw him establish vineyards in Huapai, after arriving in New Zealand from Croatia in 1937. "Nick Nobilo's innovative approach to his craft led him to introduce New Zealanders to more sophisticated wines and classic varietals," Mr Key says. "His story is a shining example of how New Zealand can develop industries from scratch to be world-beaters."
Nobilo wines began building on its success in September, 1998, when it bought another New Zealand wine company, Selaks. Its brands Premium Selection and Founders Reserve are multiple award winners both in New Zealand and overseas. Australia's second largest wine producer, BRL Hardy, purchased Nobilo Vintners in mid-2000. This later merged with Constellation Brands in 2003. The empire is now owned by global company Constellation Wines, which has interests in Australia, New Zealand, the United States, South America and Europe. Nobilo Wine Group won New Zealand wine producer of the year in 2003 and best sauvignon blanc in 2000 at the international wine and spirit competition.
By Lucy Vickers
