Nikola "Nick" Nobilo, OBE (23 August 1913 – 28 August 2007), was a New Zealandwinemaker and founder of Nobilo Wines. He was originally from Austria-Hungary.[1]
Nobilo was born in present-day Croatia in 1913.[1] His family's home village was Lumbarda,[2] located on the island of Korčula. They had worked in the winemaking industry in Croatia for 300 years before Nobilo moved to New Zealand in the 1930s.[1] Nobilo's uncle feared the signs of what would become World War II in Europe, and so ordered him to move to New Zealand.[2] Nobilo worked as a stonemason before his emigration.[2]
Nobilo Winesedit
Poverty Bay Chardonnay Nobilo – New Zealand
Nobilo and his family arrived in New Zealand in 1937 and settled in Huapai,[1] west of the city of Auckland. They began planting grapes in Huapai in 1943.[1] Gradually the Nobilos led New Zealand's wine industry away from hybrid grapes to an emphasis on classic grape varieties which produce higher quality wines.[1][2]
In 1998, the company, then called Nobilo Vintners, purchased another award-winning New Zealand winemaker, Selaks.[1] The Nobilo family company was, in turn, acquired by BRL Hardy, one of Australia's largest winemakers, 2000.[1] BRL Hardy merged Nobilo with its Constellation Brands wines in 2003.[1]
The new combined company, Constellation Wines, was able to distribute Nobilo wines throughout New Zealand, Australia, Europe and the Americas.[1]
Nobilo continued to produce wines after the acquisition. Nobilo Wines were named New Zealand's wine producer of the year in 2003.[1] Nobilo's sauvignon blanc also won the award for best sauvignon blanc at the international wine and spirit competition in 2000.[1]
Deathedit
Nobilo died in Auckland on 28 August 2007 at the age of 94.[2] His funeral was held at the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Auckland. He was survived by his wife, Zuva, and three sons, Steve, Nick and Mark and nine grandchildren, Nick, Steve, Teresa, Angela, Milan, Krista, Keita, Luke and Ashley.[2]
^ abcdefIhaka, James (5 September 2007). "Nobilo's life centred on family and passion for making wine". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 21 September 2007.
nikola, nobilo, nikola, nick, nobilo, august, 1913, august, 2007, zealand, winemaker, founder, nobilo, wines, originally, from, austria, hungary, obeborn, 1913, august, 1913lumbarda, korčula, austria, hungarydied28, august, 2007, 2007, aged, nationalitynew, ze. Nikola Nick Nobilo OBE 23 August 1913 28 August 2007 was a New Zealand winemaker and founder of Nobilo Wines He was originally from Austria Hungary 1 Nikola NobiloOBEBorn 1913 08 23 23 August 1913Lumbarda Korcula Austria HungaryDied28 August 2007 2007 08 28 aged 94 NationalityNew ZealandOccupationwinemakerKnown forNobilo Wines Contents 1 Early life 2 Nobilo Wines 3 Death 4 References 5 External linksEarly life editNobilo was born in present day Croatia in 1913 1 His family s home village was Lumbarda 2 located on the island of Korcula They had worked in the winemaking industry in Croatia for 300 years before Nobilo moved to New Zealand in the 1930s 1 Nobilo s uncle feared the signs of what would become World War II in Europe and so ordered him to move to New Zealand 2 Nobilo worked as a stonemason before his emigration 2 Nobilo Wines edit nbsp Poverty Bay Chardonnay Nobilo New Zealand Nobilo and his family arrived in New Zealand in 1937 and settled in Huapai 1 west of the city of Auckland They began planting grapes in Huapai in 1943 1 Gradually the Nobilos led New Zealand s wine industry away from hybrid grapes to an emphasis on classic grape varieties which produce higher quality wines 1 2 Nobilo came to head the family company which grew to become one of New Zealand s largest winemakers In the 1995 New Year Honours he was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire for services to the viticulture industry 3 In 1998 the company then called Nobilo Vintners purchased another award winning New Zealand winemaker Selaks 1 The Nobilo family company was in turn acquired by BRL Hardy one of Australia s largest winemakers 2000 1 BRL Hardy merged Nobilo with its Constellation Brands wines in 2003 1 The new combined company Constellation Wines was able to distribute Nobilo wines throughout New Zealand Australia Europe and the Americas 1 Nobilo continued to produce wines after the acquisition Nobilo Wines were named New Zealand s wine producer of the year in 2003 1 Nobilo s sauvignon blanc also won the award for best sauvignon blanc at the international wine and spirit competition in 2000 1 Death editNobilo died in Auckland on 28 August 2007 at the age of 94 2 His funeral was held at the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Auckland He was survived by his wife Zuva and three sons Steve Nick and Mark and nine grandchildren Nick Steve Teresa Angela Milan Krista Keita Luke and Ashley 2 References edit a b c d e f g h i j k l Nikola Nick Nobilo 94 New Zealand Wine Magnate The Washington Post Associated Press 1 September 2007 Retrieved 21 September 2007 a b c d e f Ihaka James 5 September 2007 Nobilo s life centred on family and passion for making wine The New Zealand Herald Retrieved 21 September 2007 No 53894 The London Gazette 2nd supplement 31 December 1994 p 34 External links editNobilo Wines Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Nikola Nobilo amp oldid 1189354252, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
