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The Catholic Diocese of Auckland is considering buying Ascension Vineyard on Matakana Road.
The winery has been closed for nearly four years and on the market for the last two. It went into receivership in 2013 and was subsequently bought by brothers Gino and Kiro Gurshin and Alex and Mick Sipka, who reopened the restaurant in September 2014. Alex Sipka later bought out the Gurshin brothers and attempted, unsuccessfully, to lease the hospitality side of the business.
Diocese general manager James van Schie says the church is consulting with parishioners about the potential purchase. He says the Holy Name Parish Church in Alnwick Street, Warkworth is too small for its growing community and the bigger property [7.5 hectares] would allow the Holy Name parish to accommodate a church and pastoral centre. Under the proposal, the existing restaurant would be repurposed to provide hospitality for parish events, day retreats, community hire and as a space for both church and local groups to gather. The land currently occupied by vines would be set aside with the intention of being developed for future pastoral use, such as a primary school in the long term. This second stage of development would likely not happen for at least 10 years, depending on the growth of Warkworth.
The church is expected to make a decision by late next month.
