About Salvare

Just one year after selling their successful Auckland software business, Steve and Bev Nathan bought a vineyard, created a new wine brand and became a medal winning success.

Steve and Bev Nathan created the Salvare brand with zero experience in the industry. But after 16 years creating and managing software business Comacc and then selling the business to MYOB, the Nathans were ready for a change.

Salvare is the Latin word from which we derive the word salvation. The Nathan’s found their ‘salvation’ in sunny Hawkes Bay. Despite their inexperience, and major lifestyle change the Nathan family have embraced the industry and are enjoying all that Hawkes Bay has to offer.

With a determination to be creative and successful, the Nathan’s vision is to be a quality boutique winery. They have already established a brand that is stylish and their wine has received a warm response from the public. Their “creative” approach  has even extended to the design of their labels, using original artworks from Greytown artist Lisa Matthys’s bottle and glass - “Wine” series.”We didn’t want a label which looked like it was created on a computer” says Bev.

Steve describes their brand as “casual, not pretentious and down to earth” and puts their brand success down to quality fruit grown in a renowned location and the skill and attention of respected winemaker Elise Montgomery. “We have positioned our wine as being elegant, but also ideal for consuming on casual occasions with family and friends” he says.

Steve says he now appreciates the time and effort that goes into wine production. “Some people may think a bottle of wine can be expensive, but when you see what goes in to producing it you realise why,” says Steve. Being exposed to the elements of the weather is one external business influence he has quickly had to become accustomed too, particularly the harsh reality of frost.  

Salvare Estate is a 15 acre Chardonnay vineyard located on Ngatarawa Road in Hawkes Bay. To broaden their range they also source quality fruit from other Hawkes Bay growing areas such as Puketapu and Gimblett Road, “This way we get the best of both worlds” says Steve.

Salvare Estate also produces two olive oils, a Picual and a Barnea grown locally in the Puketapu valley. To complement the oils a range of dukkahs is also produced ( Egyptian, Hot and Spicy and Dukkah Buttah - a spreadable version of Dukkah unique to Salvare Estate).The range of food products also extends to mustard and vinaigrettes, with everything available to taste at the cellar door.