Rowley Estate Homestead is located in the heart of Marlborough wine country on the outskirts of Blenheim…..away from the crowds but not too far from the action.
The history dates back to 1918 when the original cottage was built on land in Rapaura. In 2003 the cottage was transported in two pieces across town to Grovetown where it was parked in the middle of an empty block of land in Rowley Crescent. It was reconstructed and rebuilt to create the classic homestead it is today. In 2017 Claire embarked on an interior refurbishment to breathe new life into the tired homestead. With design skills and fresh eyes, the renovation was completed in sympathy with the heritage architecture + a contemporary twist to create a stylish country home and luxury guest accommodation.
Rowley Estate Homestead is a home away from home, casual luxury, hosted accommodation. A place to escape the noise of the world and exhale.
From Claire
I’ve been a city girl at heart most of my life; born in the UK, raised in Australia and for several decades in Auckland, where I raised two children and worked creatively as a colour consultant and interior designer.
In 2012 I had a hankering for the South of France and after a couple of long stays in Provence and the Côte d’ Azur I realised that I longed for a new way of life; a country life, where food, wine, gardens, hospitality melded with sunshine and interesting people.
Once my children flew the nest in 2016 Waiheke island beckoned. The island of wine (similar to Marthas Vineyard) is where I began the search for a perfect property to create my South of France lifestyle. I lived down the bottom end; remote, among vineyards, nature and worked the vineyards and cellar doors and in hospitality.
However unexpectedly in 2017 ‘the house’ found me – in the South Island. Whilst browsing on line the homestead leapt off the page and I promptly flew to Blenheim to view. It was love at first sight.
The homestead property was perfect for what I’d envisioned – an historic abode in dire need of restoration, but with great bones to create luxury guest accommodation along with an overgrown 4 acre garden that continues to be a work in progress today.
Marlborough is international wine country where wine tourism thrives, it’s a food basket of top quality producers and artisan makers, gardens and horticulture are revered and the Marlborough Sounds and outdoor tourism on our doorstep. It doesn’t get much better!
I look forward to welcoming you to my country house here in the beautiful region of Marlborough.