Lintz founders leaving NZ

Chris and Doris Lintz, former directors of Martinborough winery Lintz Estate, are leaving Greytown to live permanently in Europe.

Mr Lintz, who resigned amid controversy from his management role with Lintz Estate in February, said the couple had been offered an opportunity in the German wine industry, where they had been "amazed at the number of options that presented themselves".

Mr Lintz said he wished the success of the company he helped set up - now named Burnt Spur - could have been judged "on their attributes and not on rumours".

The chairman of the winery, John Falloon, said unacceptable losses since the company was floated two years ago had forced the board of directors to terminate Mr Lintz's contract.

The company recorded a net loss of $388,000 in the financial year ended July 1, 2000.

- NZPA