Our Story Archangel Vineyard Contact Us Our Story This is a true tale of love, hope and survival. Destiny at work. It begins 70 years ago with two young girls, Halina and Stefania.  Forced from their homes in war-torn Poland they find themselves in Arkhangel'sk, a labour camp in remote Siberia. Though they had not yet met, both make a long and courageous journey to freedom that takes them across continents, to eventually meet in England, where a life long friendship begins. Sustained by the possibility of a better life these brave women survive to each start a family of their own. Serendipity followed when Janusz and Mary meet in 1975. The son and daughter of our two heroines, who had known each other as children,  and would fall in love years later. Who was to know that Halina and Stefania's lives would continue to intertwine into the next generation. This legacy of hope and dreams is the foundation and inspiration for our vineyard in Central Otago, New Zealand. It's where the story continues to unfold. Meet Mary and Janusz Zurakowski A fortuitous meeting with an affable Englishman brought Mary and Janusz to Central Otago. Janusz had spent his teenage years there and yearned to return. After 25 years working in the art and oil industries, they decided it was time to begin a new chapter of their story. They wanted to create something together – a vineyard to celebrate past and future generations. So they planted vines on the Queensberry Terraces. Destiny had again laid its path. The Archangel Management Team Dr David Jordan is Archangel's Consultant Viticulturist. John Belsham is our Consultant Winemaker, overseeing the winemaking process with Dan and Sarah-Kate Dineen. Gary Ford and the team from Vinewise Viticulture manage the day-to-day running of the vineyard. What these fine people have in common is an extensive knowledge of wine growing and winemaking, and a relentless fervour for making exceptional wine.