From First Project to Enduring Partnership: 25 Years with Wairau River Wines

In the heart of Marlborough, Wairau River Wines stands as a testament to the power of long-term partnerships and forward-thinking design. What began as a fast-tracked build in 2001 has evolved into a 25-year collaboration that has helped shape both a business and a region. 

More than two decades and nine major projects later, Apollo Projects remains the trusted construction partner to the family-owned winery. Over that time, the operation has grown from an 800-tonne facility to a 10,000-tonne production site, representing a twelve-fold increase in capacity and a relationship built on trust, innovation and shared ambition. 

A Five-Month Deadline That Set the Tone 

The partnership began with a challenge. Apollo was engaged in October 2001 with a March 2002 completion deadline for the original winery facility. 

“We had just five months to build a 1,200-tonne winery, and we knew next to nothing about wineries,” says Paul Lloyd, Director at Apollo Projects. “It was a close call, but we were never going to fail. The first grape trusses were practically chasing the last wine tank up the driveway.” 

To add complications, around one month into the build, the scope expanded to include services and internal catwalks. “The client asked if we could complete this work and I said yes,” Lloyd recalls. “Then I went away and thought, ‘We’ve got no idea what we’re talking about’.” 

Despite the pressure and steep learning curve, the team delivered on time. Lloyd credits the outcome to curiosity, collaboration and a willingness to ask questions and lean on specialist subcontractors to solve complex service installations. 

The finished facility introduced new standards to the region, including what Lloyd describes as “probably the first industrial electrical installation in Blenheim” and one of the first ammonia refrigeration systems in Marlborough.

Raising the Bar for Winery Design 

The impact was immediate. Within six months of opening, 50 wineries toured the site to study its systems and layout. 

“It was so different,” Lloyd says. “Apollo and Wairau River quickly built a reputation as innovators in the industry.” 

The project introduced technical improvements that were new to many in the New Zealand wine sector, including comprehensive cable tagging systems, use of new materials and alternative pipework that reduced costs while maintaining quality. 

The influence extended beyond a single site. By bringing skilled contractors such as Active Refrigeration, Dawn and New Power Electrical to Marlborough, Apollo contributed to lifting the region’s capability and technical sophistication. The impact of bring these companies north continues to be felt today. 

“A number of the companies that we took to Marlborough have set up permanently and supported the region,” Lloyd says. “That helped Marlborough grow in sophistication and knowledge.” 

Nine Projects and Counting 

Since the original build, Apollo has delivered nine major projects for Wairau River. These have ranged from large-scale wine tank installation and infrastructure through to dry stores, bottling facilities and office buildings. 

The scale of installations has grown alongside the winery. “The biggest wine tank we put in at the beginning was 40,000 litres. They’ve now got 35 x 160,000-litre tanks,” Lloyd says, reflecting the expansion of both Wairau River and the wider industry. 

Craig Waghorn, Director at Apollo Projects, highlights the diversity of work delivered over the years. 

“The projects have varied from 160,000-litre wine tanks and associated slabs to dry stores, a bottling line, and later the office block. It’s been a steady evolution as their business has grown.” 

Design and Build in Action 

From day one, the partnership has been underpinned by trust in Apollo’s design and build model. 

“Design and build is about collaboration and being aligned with the client from the outset,” Waghorn says. “Even back then we knew it was the right approach because it allows for real-time problem solving and innovation.” 

The original programme would have been extremely difficult under a traditional delivery model. 

“Starting in October and finishing in March, we would never have achieved that under a traditional approach,” Waghorn says. “There weren’t even consultants in this space locally at the time.” 

The integrated model enabled rapid decision-making across all services, from pipework, electrical to refrigeration. 

“It allowed us to move quickly, find solutions as we went and significantly reduce cost for Wairau River,” Lloyd says. 

Supporting a Fully Integrated Wine Business 

Over time, Wairau River has developed into a fully integrated operation, growing and processing grapes, and managing bottling and distribution in-house. That level of vertical integration remains relatively uncommon in the industry. 

“A lot of wineries use contract growers or contract bottlers, and many don’t sell their own wine,” Lloyd says. “Wairau River manages that entire process.” 

Apollo’s ongoing involvement has supported this end-to-end model, delivering facilities aligned with the winery’s long-term vision. 

A Partnership Built on Trust 

At the heart of the relationship is trust that extends well beyond construction. 

“They’ll ring for business advice – for example when they were looking at putting in a board of directors.” Waghorn says. “It’s gone further than just the building side of it.” 

In an industry where corporate ownership is becoming more common and long-term family partnerships are rarer, relationships like this stand out. 

“It’s harder to build that kind of partnership now,” Lloyd says. “Much of what we’re involved with today is corporate. You very rarely deliver a large project for a family-owned business.” 

For Apollo, the Wairau River journey remains a defining example of its collaborative design and build philosophy. “It’s right up there in showing what the design and build model can deliver, and demonstrates what can be achieved when trust, innovation and collaboration come together” Lloyd says. 

This decades-long partnership is testament that lasting results are built not just on technical expertise, but on strong relationships…and perhaps, in this case, a shared appreciation for a good Marlborough wine!