Our Team 

 

Alex Sipka - Owner and Visionary

 

Whenever Alex is on site he is bound to be somewhere outside finalising plans with a contractor. Alexs passion and vision for Ascension have no bounds and he is always coming up with ways to improve the place including extending the winery, planting an orchard and getting some bees so we can have our own Ascension Honey. If it is related to Ascension you can bet that Alex is interested. Alex is also a keen outdoorsman and hunter in his recreational time. Rumor has it he is also a mean ping pong player.

 

 

 

Susan Sipka - Owner and Chinese Delagate

 

Susan oversees the accounts for Ascension and is our leading Chinese delegate, organising events and marketing for the Chinese community. Susan is a very vibrant and energetic person, who always has a smile and a kind word for all of the staff. She is our fashion icon and always dresses with impeccable style. She can often be found hosting our Chinese guests onsite and making sure they feel welcomed and get the full Ascension experience. She also loves spending time with her son Luka who loves to play soccer in the vineyard. Susan is also a great ping pong player and this is how Alex and Susan first met. 

 

 

 

Stephanie Morten - Operations Manager 

 

 

Steph is the perfect go to girl for any situation. Super smart and stats savy, she keeps all departments on track at Ascension, so she could literally be anywhere including up a ladder, out in the vines or helping out on the front desk when it's busy. Steph may in fact be part android due to her incredible stamina and work ethic which no normal human could keep up with. She also cares for the environment spending time whenever she can in the local Tawharanui regional park. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Carlie Blanchett-Burton - Functions & Marketing Manager

 

Carlie specialises in events and loves organising all the concerts, weddings, conferences and other functions at Ascension. She goes by many titles including Artisan of Amore, Artisan of Events, Marketing Manager and Part Time Xmas Elf. From print to social media if it is part of promoting Ascension Carlie is on it. Weddings are her favorite part of life at Ascension, and she loves helping brides with every detail of their big day. In her spare time Carlie enjoys making art and music and can often be heard singing away without a care in the world.

 

 

 

 

Patrick Jankovic - Head Chef

 

Our head Chef Patrick originally comes from Croatia where he grew up on a farm. He learnt about horticulture and agriculture, as well as cooking, preserving, and making charcuterie from his parents. His style is contemporary, using modern technology, elements of molecular gastronomy, foraging for rare ingredients, and specialising in Charcuterie. He makes many of the cured meats on our tasting platters himself using traditional techniques passed down to him by his family. Patrick's passion for good food, wine and beer is his life, in his time off he likes to talk about new menu ideas and the latest developments in gastronomy while he enjoyes a fine Ascension wine or cold Peroni.

 

 

 

Tina Hutchinson - Vineyard

 

Tina works out in Ascension's vineyard lovingly caring for every bunch of grapes that make their way into our delicious boutique wines. A born green thumb Tina has a talent for helping plants thrive and is a wealth of knowledge about growing and tending plants. In her spare time Tina enjoys making her own experimental wine and enjoying the finer things in life, fine food and of course wine. She also has a strong interest in natural health and well being. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Maydee - The Vineyard Dog 

 

Maydee is our canine ambassador for Ascension. She is Tina's constant companion out in the vines, shes seen here assisting leaf removal from the vines. Maydee loves clearing the birds from the vineyard. She is very friendly and inquisitive and loves greeting visitors to the estate. Wedding days are her favourite, though we don't let her attend of course. Her snack of choice is cicadas.