Winemakers were renowned for their passion about what they produced, he said.
"Horst and Wendy Hillerich are no exception which is why they would prefer to negotiate a lease-back of the winery building with a view to supplying the adjoining restaurant and function venue with Ohinemuri-branded wines.
"But they are also open to selling the business lock, stock and barrels to the right purchaser."
There is potential for expansion because of the increasing popularity of the nearby Hauraki Rail Trail
"This opened in early 2012, resulting in visitor numbers through the gorge rising dramatically. It has also had a positive impact on the Ohinemuri hospitality venue which is halfway along one of the track's three stages."
It was this boom in regional eco tourism that had inspired the owners of the long-standing business to cash up their investment.
The original buildings were designed and constructed in 1980 by an Englishman who was previously a set designer with the Royal Opera in Covent Garden. He based the design style on buildings he saw in Latvia during his European operatic travels.
After a successful 21-year trading history, the Hillerichs have decided to divest their ownership in the hospitality and accommodation services side of the business, placing it on the market for sale in time for a new owner to capitalise on the upcoming busy summer tourist season.
Bradley said the hospitality business was predominantly run as a "lifestyle" operation.
The Ohinemuri brand produced a selection of white wines including chardonnay, sauvignon blanc, riesling, gewurztraminer, pinot gris and a pinot noir. Its grapes came from Gisborne, Marlborough, and Wairarapa.
The 262sq m restaurant was the first structure built at the complex in 1980. It was refurbished in 1993 and extended in 2006. The building holds a wine shop and tasting room, a main dining room with garden courtyard, a commercially graded kitchen, a second mezzanine-level dining space and commercial accommodation upstairs.
A one-bedroom apartment in the original loft above the restaurant has its own kitchenette and bathroom and sleeps four people. It rents for $120 to $165 a night.
The 172sq m winery was built in 1993. Founded on concrete flooring, it has a 10m pitched roof ceiling adding to the ambience encircling an array of tanks, chillers and interconnecting pipes.
The sale includes the owner-operator's family residence a four bedroom dwelling with three toilets and two bathrooms.
The Ohinemuri Winery & Restaurant is open seven days a week in summer from 10am to 5pm, scaling back to a Wednesday to Sunday operation over winter.
It has a licence allowing 20 late-night "special functions" a year.
As well as the Hillerichs, the business employs a full-time chef, two part-time staff and casual food, beverage and retail personnel as required.
What's on offer
The property: Ohinemuri Winery & Restaurant.
Location: Karangahake Gorge between Waihi and Paeroa.
Agency: Bayleys Tauranga.
Sales method: Deadline private treaty closing September 18.
Features:
1.53ha of freehold land.
Includes restaurant, family home, loft apartment and winery.
Current owners want to lease back winery building.
Situated on popular Hauraki Rail Trail.
Potential for expansion.
