1938

With the dark clouds of war about to envelop Europe, Nikola Posa Delegat arrives in New Zealand to start a new life. Vidosava Lendich arrives in New Zealand in 1939. She marries Nikola in 1941.

1947

Nikola and Vidosava Delegat purchase 10 acres of land and start to establish their vineyard and winery at Henderson, Auckland.

1978

The Delegat family signal their intention to focus on making premium varietal wines by establishing interests in the Hawkes Bay viticultural region

1982

Delegat's are the first New Zealand
winemaker to ferment their
chardonnay in a barrel.

1983

A watershed year. The Delegat arrival as a high quality winery is signalled when their 1982 Chardonnay wins the THC trophy for champion overall wine at the National Wine Competition.

1986

The prime Gimblett Road Hawkes Bay vineyard is purchased. In the heart of what is known today as the 'Gimblett Gravels Wine Growing District', this vineyard, and the company's nearby 'Highway 50' vineyard, underpin Delegat's quality Hawkes Bay viticulture.

1990

Delegat's harvest their first grapes from the rapidly emerging Marlborough wine region. The Delegat owned, Oyster Bay Marlborough brand is born. The very first vintage of Oyster Bay Sauvignon Blanc is judged 'Best Worldwide' at The International Wine and Spirit Competition in London. Over a four year period, both Oyster Bay Chardonnay and Oyster Bay Sauvignon Blanc win 'Best Worldwide' accolades at The International Wine and Spirit Competition in London.

1991

Delegat's wines begin a winning decade of Gold Medals and prestigious trophies, both nationally and internationally. There are Gold Medals for Delegat's Chardonnays for 10 consecutive years, and trophies for the 1992, 1994 and 1998 Chardonnay vintages.

1997

The family celebrates 50 years of viticulture and winemaking in New Zealand. Jim Delegat says;

'We salute all our fellow builders of the New Zealand industry - the families, the individuals and the companies who have held fast to a vision, done the hard work in viticultural pioneering, shown lots of determination in the face of adversity and who, above all, have never lost sight of their drive for wine excellence.'

1999

A standout example of Delegat's international success and for the growing stature of New Zealand red wines. Delegat's Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 1997 wins a Gold Medal in London at the prestigious wine competition - THE INTERNATIONAL WINE CHALLENGE.

A major Australasian success. Delegat's Reserve Chardonnay 1998 becomes the influential 'Winestate' Magazine's Australasian 'Chardonnay of the year' and wins the Vaslin-Bucher trophy, heading off 1200 Australian and New Zealand chardonnays.

2003

Planting is completed at the largest vineyard in the Hawkes Bay region - Crownthorpe. 285 hectares of chardonnay and merlot vines are nurtured on a prime river terrace site 30km west of Hastings, high above the meandering Ngaruroro River. A small initial harvest of grapes will come from the 2004 vintage.

2003

Delegat's Red turns to Gold in London again... the superb Delegat's Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2001 wins a Gold Medal in London at THE INTERNATIONAL WINE CHALLENGE 2003... showing yet again the quality and the potential of our Hawkes Bay vineyards to produce world-class red wines.