Our Family Roots
We are proudly family owned and operated, now for five generations of Soljans. As the only New Zealand winery to have this amount of family heritage, we bring this passion, dedication, and care from our table to yours.
Part of the Kumeu wineries out west, Soljans Estate is a short 20-minute drive from Auckland CBD, offering award-winning wines, a cellar door, bistro, and stunning atmosphere for all types of celebrations.
Come, sip, and enjoy our place!
Our Soljans story branches over two continents and five generations. It includes passion, family, dedication, and heritage.
In the beginning: Stari Grad,
Bartul Soljan
Our story begins centuries ago in the little town of Stari Grad, on the island of Hvar in Croatia. It was here in this beautiful, historic township that our family’s winemaking tradition began.
In 1927, Bartul Soljan and his wife Rakelina, and their children sailed to the ‘New World’, with the art of winemaking stowed neatly in their hearts.
After breaking in the land and planting the first vines, their dream of bringing winemaking to New Zealand became a reality. In 1932, Bartul established the first Soljans Family Vineyard, Pergola Wines, and planted some of the very first vines for the area, in Henderson, West Auckland.
A new era of Soljans:
Frank Soljan
In 1937, Bartul’s eldest son, Frank, eager to own his own winery, purchased a property also in Lincoln Road, Henderson, and Soljans Wines was born. Frank and his wife Rona spent the next 30 years building up the business.
As the 1970s came along, it became time for Frank and his wife Rona to pass the reigns of the company down to his two sons Tony and Rex.
Bringing Soljans to New Zealand dinner tables:
Tony and Rex Soljan
Tony Soljan and his brother Rex Soljan joined the family winery after leaving school. With a bold vision, Tony successfully brought Soljans’ wine onto New Zealand’s dinner tables.
For 64 years, Soljans Estate Winery held its place on Lincoln Road, but as urban Auckland grew around the winery, and the once green Lincoln Road turned to grey, it was clear it was time to think about moving.
It was then that Tony and his wife Colleen had to make a hard but historical decision; it was time to find a new home for Soljans.
After searching high and low throughout the Auckland region, in 2002 Tony and Colleen settled on the beautiful Kumeu site we call our home today.
Kumeu, the home of Soljans:
Tyler & Amber Soljan
Our family are passionately involved in all aspects of the winery. We currently have three generations of Soljans involved at the winery, Tony Soljan and his wife Colleen, their daughters Tonia and Lisa (try their namesake, our Two Daughters Rosé), and Tonia’s children, Tyler and Amber Soljan.
Tyler and Amber are both actively involved in the Estate, honouring their grandfather’s passion. Tyler made his very own bottle of wine at just five years old, and Amber became the first female Soljan to make wine at age seven. Both bottles sit proudly in our Family Memory Cabinet on the Estate.
We are incredibly proud to be the only New Zealand winery with five generations of family involved, and look forward to continuing this tradition for years to come.
Our Family
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Tony Soljan
Managing Director & Head Winemaker
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Colleen Soljan
Gift Shop Manager
Email: colleen@soljans.co.nz
Phone: 09 412 5858
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Tyler Soljan
Management & Sales Manager
Email: tyler@soljans.co.nz
Phone:: 09 412 2822
Mobile: +64 021 1744 733 -
Amber Soljan
Marketing & Brand
Email: amber@soljans.co.nz
Mobile: +64 021 117 0466
