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.

Champagne Vine LIghts

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.

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.

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.

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