Art at the Estate

Where Art, Wine and History Find New Life

For Matakana Estate owner Chrissy Lu, art is more than decoration—it is a way of preserving stories, expressing character and giving meaningful objects a new life.

Guided by her love of art and repurposing, Chrissy has shaped the estate into a place where creativity can be discovered in unexpected ways. Original artworks, sculptural installations and historic pieces appear throughout the Cellar Door, vineyard and private lodge, each adding another layer to the Matakana Estate story.

An Upside Down Champagne Wine Glasses

Inspired by the Vineyard

One of the estate’s most distinctive artworks is a suspended lighting installation created by artist James Russ. Handcrafted from 40 vines once grown at Matakana Estate, the installation preserves their natural curves, textures and imperfections.

Although the vines had completed their life in the soil, they were not forgotten. Reimagined as art, they now bring warmth and character to the lodge while maintaining a lasting connection to the vineyard.

A New Purpose

The Barrel Light

Also designed by artist James Russ, this distinctive light installation was created from a repurposed wine barrel—transforming an object once used in the winemaking process into an artwork with a new purpose.

Suspended among cascading greenery, the barrel brings warmth, texture and character to the Cellar Door. Its original form remains recognisable, preserving its connection to the winery while allowing it to be experienced in an entirely new way.

The Barrel Light reflects Chrissy Lu’s belief that meaningful objects should not simply be discarded. By giving the barrel a second life, the installation brings the story of wine into the design of the space and creates another unexpected connection between art and the vineyard.

The Door and the Key

The main entrance door of Matakana Estate Lodge carries a story that reaches far beyond the vineyard. According to the estate’s founding family, the door was shipped from France and installed in what was once their private family home.

When the home and estate passed from the founding family into the care of Chrissy Lu, the door remained as part of its legacy. Rather than replacing it, Chrissy chose to preserve it—honouring the family who founded Matakana Estate and the history held within the lodge.

Displayed nearby, the key symbolises more than entry to the house. It represents trust, continuity and the passing of the home from one family to another. The French door welcomes guests into the lodge, while the key marks a new chapter in the continuing story of Matakana Estate.

Inspired by Sofia Minson

Among the artworks collected by Chrissy Lu are several pieces by award-winning New Zealand artist Sofia Minson.

Chrissy has long been inspired by Minson’s distinctive visual language and the deeper meaning woven through her work. Blending portraiture, symbolism, nature and cultural storytelling, each piece invites the viewer to pause, look closer and discover something beyond the image itself.

Over the years, Chrissy has collected several of Minson’s art prints, including Horus, Sophia, The Heart of the Kākā and Merkabah. Displayed throughout Matakana Estate Lodge, the collection brings colour, character and a sense of discovery to the home.

For Chrissy, collecting art is not simply about decorating a space. It is about choosing works that create emotion, encourage conversation and continue revealing new meaning over time. Sofia Minson’s art has helped inspire the lodge’s identity as a private vineyard retreat where wine, history, nature and artistic expression come together.

A New Addition

The Heart of the Kākā

Another treasured work in Chrissy Lu’s collection, The Heart of the Kākā carries a meaning that deeply connects with her vision for Matakana Estate.

Inspired by a Māori proverb about the spiral moving forward while also returning, the double spiral on the kākā’s chest represents life’s journey—moving ahead while guiding us back to our centre. By bringing together ancient and modern influences, the artwork connects the past, present and future.

This philosophy reflects Chrissy’s approach to the estate: honouring its history while giving treasured objects, spaces and stories new life. Displayed within the lodge, The Heart of the Kākā reminds us that moving forward does not mean leaving the past behind.

Omaha Sunrise

Captured at nearby Omaha Beach, the photograph reveals a fleeting moment as the rising sun appears beneath dramatic clouds and reflects across the water. Through his careful use of light, timing and composition, Payne transforms a familiar local coastline into a peaceful and atmospheric scene.

Selected by Chrissy for its beauty and connection to the region, Omaha Sunrise brings the coastal spirit of Matakana into the lodge. It reminds guests that the character of this region is shaped not only by its vineyards and rolling countryside, but also by the sea.

Omaha Sunrise is a fine art print by New Zealand landscape photographer Matt Payne.

The Heart of the Home

AGA Stove

Short descripThe Heart of the Home

For many years, this AGA stove stood at the heart of the home belonging to Matakana Estate’s former Croatian owners. More than an appliance, it was part of everyday family life—a place where meals were prepared, stories were shared and people gathered together.

When the estate passed into the care of Chrissy Lu, the AGA remained. Recognising its history and sentimental value, Chrissy chose to preserve it as part of the home’s continuing story.

Today, it represents the connection between past and present. Once at the centre of one family’s home, it now welcomes a new generation of guests—a reminder that some objects become more meaningful with time and deserve to be carried forward rather than replaced.tion

Crafted from the Vineyard

A Place to Pause

Within Matakana Estate’s Enchanted Forest, retired wine barrels have been given a new life as handcrafted seating and tables. Designed and created by a skilled carpentry contractor, each piece preserves the natural curves, grain and character of the original oak.

Once used as part of the winemaking journey, the barrels now offer guests a place to pause, connect and take in the landscape. Positioned among the trees and overlooking the vineyard toward Mount Tamahunga, they create a quiet meeting point between craftsmanship and nature.

The installation reflects Chrissy Lu’s passion for repurposing objects with history rather than letting their stories end. Here, the barrels continue their connection to the estate—not by holding wine, but by holding new conversations, shared moments and memories.

Surrounded by vines, framed by trees and facing the mountain, this is a place where the materials of the winery become part of the landscape once again.

Vitality · Reconnection · Belonging

The Artists Behind the Estate

James Russ

New Zealand Lighting Artist & Designer

James Russ transforms natural and repurposed materials into sculptural lighting. At Matakana Estate, his handcrafted installations give former vineyard vines and wine barrels new life, preserving their character while reconnecting each piece to the land and its winemaking story.

Sofia Minson

Contemporary New Zealand Artist

Sofia Minson’s richly detailed works bring together Aotearoa’s people, native wildlife, cultural symbolism and ancient wisdom. Her art has deeply inspired Chrissy Lu and forms an important part of the lodge’s collection, inviting guests to pause, reflect and discover meaning beyond the image.

Matt Payne

New Zealand Landscape Photographer

Matt Payne captures the dramatic beauty of New Zealand through light, land and sea. His photograph Omaha Sunrise, displayed at Matakana Estate Lodge, transforms a fleeting moment on the nearby coastline into a peaceful and atmospheric work—connecting the lodge to the wider Matakana landscape.

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