About us
The Kiwiesque Story
Welcome to our Kiwi paradise in Hawke’s Bay
It began as a love story and continues to bring people together today
Just a short drive from Napier, Kiwiesque is luxury accommodation with heart, bringing joy and relaxation to everyone lucky enough to stay here. A beautiful wedding venue, it’s also an idyllic location for corporate retreats, family holidays and large group accommodation.
Owners Bayden and Justine met in a small Eskdale church in 2007. They dreamed of building the perfect home to bring their lives and families together. Starting with the Luxury Lodge in 2012, this building sits on the site of the original woolshed on two hectares of vineyard. With the property’s agricultural past as their inspiration, they built the home with red corrugated iron architecture and sheep’s wool for carpets, ceiling and wall insulation.
When a neighbouring piece of land became available, the couple decided to share the beauty and tranquillity of their retreat with others. The four-bedroom Vineyard Villa was added to Kiwiesque.
Bayden and Justine’s wish is that you enjoy all that Kiwiesque has to offer. Luxurious accommodation in a dreamy setting to help you unwind and relax. Switch off from the daily grind, breathe in the fresh air and spend quality time with those around you.
Meet your hosts
Justine, Bayden & Boris
We love the bounty Hawke’s Bay offers – from the freshest food and the finest wine, to endless outdoor pursuits if you’re keen to balance things out!
We’re delighted to live and work in this beautiful corner of Hawke’s Bay, and look forward to sharing it with you.
“We built Kiwiesque as a home base central to all we love about Hawke’s Bay, for our family to enjoy and to offer guests the same experiences.”
— Bayden Wilson, Kiwiesque
Kiwiesque vineyard
Kiwiesque overlooks the vineyard, including a producing block of Pinot Gris and Albariño grapes. Albariño is a white variety from Galicia in Spain, grown in a coastal climate and enjoyed with the very best seafood tapas. We wish to replicate this experience with all the exceptional Hawke’s Bay seafood on offer.
Hawke’s Bays 2007 vintage was a very sunny and dry year, producing outstanding Reds. Our 2007 ‘Farting Kiwi’ Flagship Cabernet Sauvignon is a ripper. In limited supply, it is best enjoyed with BBQ Kiwiesque lamb on site.
In 2016 we replanted a new block of Cabernet Sauvignon to supply our ‘Farting Kiwi’, the latest 2021 vintage we’re currently enjoying. Our Kiwiesque vineyard is registered as a Sustainable Winegrower with SWNZ.
Our sheep play an important role, grazing the vines for eight months of the year. This exposes our grapes to the sunlight for ripening and reduces spray use and mowing.
Kiwiesque; our name and heritage
Nestled in historic Eskdale and our own slice of Kiwi paradise that’s a little bit fancy; Kiwiesque is a fitting name for our unique style of warm hospitality.
You may notice our farting Kiwi logo. Designed by Bayden and capturing his unique humour, it signifies one of his descendants, Kawana Pai Pai, a Maori Tohunga (witch doctor) who had the power to control the wind. Bayden is a real local with heritage going back to East Coast tribal Te Aitanga a Mahaki. His first European ancestor, an early settler, set up Whaling stations at nearby Tangoio and Cape Kidnappers in the 1840s.
Our ‘Farting Kiwi’ Cabernet Sauvignon is our ‘big’ red made on-site, which includes the great 2007 vintage. Our other red wines include the 2019 ‘Mad Cow’ Cabernet Merlot, 2019 ‘Dog Botherer’ Tempranillo and 2016 ‘Farking Kiwi’ Syrah. Our white wines produced from our vineyard include our ‘Flying Sheep’ Pinot Gris, ‘Flying Fish’ Albariño and ‘Wooly Fish’ Albariño Gris. These wines were produced by the winemaker and students completing the Charles Sturt Wine Science degree at EIT Hawke’s Bay.
Kiwiesque environment
Kiwiesque has been designed to capture the rustic charm, shape and texture of the old red corrugated iron woolshed as well as being environmentally friendly.
The sun’s natural light and heat are captured by the positioning of the vast glass areas. Heat is then retained by double glazing, insulated concrete flooring and sheeps’ wool insulation in the walls and ceilings.
Natural wood fires and LED lighting have been utilised for energy efficiency. Pure rainwater is harnessed from the extensive roof area. All wastewater is treated on site returning to the land as irrigation.
Kiwiesque wines
Our two-hectare vineyard surrounds the Lodge and Villa and includes Cabernet Sauvignon, Albariño and Pinot Gris, which we harvest and use to produce our very own wine, which we invite you to enjoy! There’s something pretty special about enjoying a delicious bottle right where it was grown, and we’re always happy to tell you more about the process.
Our ‘Farting Kiwi’ Cabernet Sauvignon is our ‘big’ red made on-site, which includes the great 2007 vintage. Our other red wines include the 2019 ‘Mad Cow’ Cabernet Merlot, 2019 ‘Dog Botherer’ Tempranillo and 2016 ‘Farking Kiwi’ Syrah. Our white wines produced from our vineyard include our ‘Flying Sheep’ Pinot Gris, ‘Flying Fish’ Albariño and ‘Wooly Fish’ Albariño Gris. These wines were produced by the winemaker and students completing the Charles Sturt Wine Science degree at EIT Hawke’s Bay.
Kiwiesque lamb
We love sheep here at Kiwiesque! You’ll see the flock doing their bit in the vineyard and around the grounds.
Acting as our lawn mowers and pruners, they are at home in the vineyard. Here, they eat the vine leaves that surround the grape bunches, allowing the sunlight to ripen the grapes, leading to top quality wine.
For the last 20 years Bayden has been involved in the development of the ‘Primera’ sheep, which is a blend of the traditional British breeds and renowned for eating quality.
For the past 15 years, Bayden has worked with farmers in the UK and Australia to establish this breed and supply high-end lamb markets that demand the highest quality.
Guests have the opportunity to dine on our own meat, with our self-catering BBQ packs featuring our own Kiwiesque bred ‘Primera’ lamb.
Share the Kiwiesque Experience
Whatever your reason for your stay in Hawke’s Bay – we’d love to share our little slice of paradise.
Hawke’s Bay accommodation to suit your occasion
Corporate retreats
Get your team away from it all with a rejuvenating stay at Kiwiesque. With comfortable, modern facilities and room for 28 people, it’s perfect for conferences, business functions, team building and corporate stays.
Wedding venue
Kiwiesque is an idyllic outdoor wedding venue with premium, modern facilities, indoor and outdoor spaces, and plenty of room to host your wedding party accommodation.
Events & special occasions
Plan your special event at our picturesque property in the heart of Eskdale. Kiwiesque is just right for birthday celebrations and family reunions, and has plenty of room for school and sports groups.