Nikola Nobilo
Nikola Nobilo OBE | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 23 August 1913 Lumbarda, Korčula, Austria-Hungary |
| Died | 28 August 2007 (aged 94) |
| Nationality | New Zealand |
| Occupation | winemaker |
| Known for | Nobilo Wines |
Nikola "Nick" Nobilo,
Early life
Nobilo was born in present-day Croatia in 1913.[1] His family's home village was Lumbarda,[2] located on the island of Korčula. They had worked in the winemaking industry in Croatia for 300 years before Nobilo moved to New Zealand in the 1930s.[1] Nobilo's uncle feared the signs of what would become World War II in Europe, and so ordered him to move to New Zealand.[2] Nobilo worked as a stonemason before his emigration.[2]
Nobilo Wines
Nobilo and his family arrived in New Zealand in 1937 and settled in
Nobilo came to head the family company, which grew to become one of New Zealand's largest winemakers. In the
In 1998, the company, then called Nobilo Vintners, purchased another award-winning New Zealand winemaker, Selaks.
The new combined company,
Nobilo continued to produce wines after the acquisition. Nobilo Wines were named New Zealand's wine producer of the year in 2003.[1] Nobilo's sauvignon blanc also won the award for best sauvignon blanc at the international wine and spirit competition in 2000.[1]
Death
Nobilo died in Auckland on 28 August 2007 at the age of 94.[2] His funeral was held at the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Auckland. He was survived by his wife, Zuva, and three sons, Steve, Nick and Mark and nine grandchildren, Nick, Steve, Teresa, Angela, Milan, Krista, Keita, Luke and Ashley.[2]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "Nikola 'Nick' Nobilo, 94; New Zealand Wine Magnate". The Washington Post. Associated Press. 1 September 2007. Retrieved 21 September 2007.
- ^ a b c d e f Ihaka, James (5 September 2007). "Nobilo's life centred on family and passion for making wine". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 21 September 2007.
- ^ "No. 53894". The London Gazette (2nd supplement). 31 December 1994. p. 34.
