Wine pioneer Kim Goldwater has died following a tractor crash on his Waiheke property last week.
The 85-year-old who, with his wife, developed the island’s first commercial vineyard in the 1970s, was driving the tractor when it crashed down a bank, according to the NZ Herald.
His son Michael Goldwater told the Herald they do not know why the accident would have happened.
“It’s not the steepest hill in the world but you wouldn’t want to be 85-years-old going down there on a tractor, backwards.”
The accident has been referred to the coroner.
Kim and Jeanette Goldwater bought the Waiheke land for $30,000 in 1978 and it went on to become Goldwater Estate.
In early 2011, the couple donated the vineyard – with a land value of $4m – to the University of Auckland.
It is still a functioning vineyard and Goldie Estate paid tribute to their founder on Facebook, saying:
“Family man, Pioneer, Visionary, Winemaker, Engineer, Photographer, Pianist, Storyteller, Sailor, Mentor, Friend. And so much more.
Legend.
Rest in peace Kimbo”
Jeanette passed away in 2020. They are survived by their three children – Karen, Gretchen and Michael.
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