A serendipitous flight over the Wayby Valley area not far from Wellsford revealed the perfect piece of land for a new home for David and Catherine Fletcher.
“When I saw the area I phoned a friend with a private airstrip nearby, landed there and he took us to have a closer look.”
The Fletchers promptly bought the six-and-a-half-hectare property and began making plans for a substantial country home.
According to OneRoof data, 70 Spindler Road in Wayby Valley, Wellsford, in Rodney, last changed hands in 2001 for $177,500. The substantial house and land has an RV of $2 million and is on the market for sale by way of tender, closing December 8.
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“Our design criteria was high ceiling and no walls, and that’s what I told the architect,” recalls David, who’d spent time in the navy and was well over tiny spaces and low ceilings.
The Fletchers wanted a home in a quiet, private area suited to bring up family, but also fit for entertaining, and the 580sqm house has delivered exactly that. At the end of a long, tree-lined driveway, it is settled amongst pasture and has a vineyard of table grapevines and established grounds, and suits its country location perfectly.
A weatherboard-style exterior contrasted with schist anchor the building to its setting and sets the scene for the impressive interior.
The 580sqm house has five bedrooms, three bathrooms, garaging for three vehicles plus off-street parking, and high ceilings throughout. Photo / Supplied
David, who had spent a lot of time in Central Otago, arranged for the schist to be transported from there to the building site and it was laid meticulously. The three-metre-high stud height throughout was foremost in David’s brief to the architect and enhances the sense of spacious luxury.
There’s a superb kitchen with generous workspaces, modern stainless steel appliances and polished timber floors, a dining area, an open-plan family room and a separate lounge for a grand piano.
Several sets of bi-fold doors open the rooms up to the north-facing decks and the conservatory with its built-in barbecue, open fire and schist pillars. In the main part of the house are four big bedrooms, including the master with its ensuite, spa and bi-folds opening to the deck.
Above the three-car garage and hobby room is space for a games room and/or home office, as well as a fifth bedroom and bathroom for guests or extended family.
The superb kitchen comes with generous workspaces, modern stainless steel appliances, polished timber floors, a dining area and an open-plan family room. Photo / Supplied
At the end of the day, a deck allows the homeowner to take in the country views, the night sounds and the 20 rows of vines. Photo / Supplied
“You get the sense that anyone could walk in and feel that they had arrived home,” says Bayleys country property specialist John Barnett. “There’s been no expense spared here and you certainly notice that. No other property I can think of comes close to this.”
The four paddocks of pasture have in the past carried about five steers and 28 sheep. They’re bordered by mature trees and garden, and 20 rows of vines. A gravity-fed water supply system provides plenty of water for the gardens and paddocks, with a good-sized garden shed for storage.
The property is only a short drive from Wellsford, Warkworth, Matakana, and less than an hour from Auckland, with an added attraction its proximity to Mangawhai's popular beaches and golf courses.
David and Catherine have loved this house for 20 years, but they now have lots of family around the Taupo area, and it’s time to be closer to them.
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