The History of The Winehouse & Kitchen
 
THE KAWARAU GORGE HISTORY
 
Until a few thousand years ago, Lake Wakatipu exited to the Mataura River through the moraines at Kingston.  Gradually a branch of the Clutha River eroded back along the lines of weakness in the schist bedrock, (the present Kawarau gorge), until it captured the Nevis River.  Eventually the newly formed Kawarau River encapsulated the Shotover River and the entire Lake Wakatipu catchment.

 
GIBBSTON HISTORY
 
Click Here to Download History of The Winehouse & Kitchen
 
1860:   Pioneer WG Rees brought sheep through Gibbston, with difficulty, to stock his Wakatipu run.

 

1862:  Discovery of payable gold in the area and thousands of prospectors swarm in to start the Arrow gold rush.

 

1880:  After 18 months construction the Kawarau Bridge was opened on December 30th.

 

1963:  The Kawarau Bridge is unable to keep up with demand and the two lane “Battling Betty” bridge opens.

 

1988:  Henry van Asch and AJ Hackett operate commercial Bungy Jumping from the Bridge under a one month licence.

 

1990:  An extensive Bridge restoration project is undertaken by the Department of Conservation & AJ Hackett Bungy.

 

2003:  The Kawarau Bungy Centre is officially opened by the Prime Minister Helen Clark.
 

GLENROY HOMESTEAD

 

1910:        Ewen Duncan leased “Glenroy” -a 4775ha Block as run 345D.

 

1913:         Edgar Thompson Shand took over the lease buying a six-acre section from Mr & Mrs Whelan & built the original Glenroy homestead with a terraced garden, trees and shrubs.

 

1920:       Shand returned from war with a leg wound and as a result sold the run to Fred Bloxham of Timaru. Bloxham installed the first private hydro-electric plant in Gibbston which drew water from nearby Tom’s Creek.

 

1928:        Bloxham moved on to farm at ‘Bendermeer’ Lake Hayes, and Peter McNaughton Anderson of Poolburn moved into Glenroy.  Soon after arriving Peter struck desperately hard times with the depression and a rabbit infestation.

Anderson’s youngest son, Peter, eventually took over Glenroy and lived there all his life, rabbiting, mustering and farming.

 

1995:       Jim Hunter bought the Glenroy Station and Topsy Anderson remains in residence.

               

1998:       Topsy; the final resident departs the homestead.

 

2003:       New owner Phil donates the house to Henry van Asch.

2005:       December 05, The Winehouse & Kitchen opens for business.
 

THE WINEHOUSE & KITCHEN DEVELOPMENT

 

Henry van Asch, having visited the Anderson’s during their time in Glenroy always admired the character of the homestead. On hearing of an impending Arrowtown fire brigade training exercise Henry set about rescuing the building.

In August 2003, he had the homestead relocated to its present position adjacent to the Kawarau Bungy Bridge.

 

The Winehouse and Kitchen was born with Henry's viticulturalist brother-in-law Tom Hutchison and is the perfect showcase for their wine labels. The restaurant, a farmhouse concept, places an emphasis on warm

welcomes and hearty wholesome food in keeping with the homestead’s pastoral history, heritage and restoration. 

 

The aim is to provide a restful wine-educational experience to visitors & locals and their families.

The facility is also available for evening functions and events.

 

The Team

Henry has gathered together a passionate team to run The Winehouse & Kitchen.
At the helm is well-travelled head chef Chris Bindon.
The cellar door is managed by Julia Stephenson and Tim Fulton drives the brand development.