'Budgets ruin dreams': Gibbston Valley heritage villa gets a lavish makeover

Homeowner Michael Ashall is a man who likes some of the finer things in life, and he’s not afraid to splash the cash to achieve his goals.

“I may not stick to budgets very well. Budgets ruin dreams,” he admits.

But having grown up “in one of the poorest families” in Devonport, he had one big dream - to own a very fancy villa and bring a luxe hotel vibe to it.

Years later, that dream was finally achieved: “To actually have one and to have the chance to take care of her, it feels like quite a privilege.”

Set among the vines with views of the popular Gibbston Valley, Ashall lives in the immaculate four-bedroom property along with his husband, Luke, who works for online booking platform, Klook.

Originally built in 1906 in the Christchurch suburb of Sumner, the house was damaged during the 2011 earthquake and moved two years later across the South Island to Gibbston, along with two other local houses.

Ashall says the building was cut into four and transported, not that you would know it now: “You don't really see the joints. They've done such a great job in putting the house back together.”

When the couple bought the house in 2020, Ashall says the building “was 80% there”: “We've come in, and we've finished off the bedroom. It didn't have an ensuite originally, and the wardrobe wasn't fitted out. So we've definitely finished that.

“We've put in the glass partition you see between the bedroom and the bathtub, as well as all the green and white marble. We've got Swarovski crystal taps, and gone all out with the Ralph Lauren lighting.”

Even though winters in the valley are known to get a bit nippy, the house has three fireplaces, as well as central and underfloor heating: “It’s a lovely, warm house to be in.”

There’s a hidden surprise under the kitchen - an old water tank which doubles as a wine cellar. The stock got a bit of a hammering over the festive period: “It’s a one in, one out situation at the moment,” he says.

Top ups aren’t an issue when you are surrounded by prestige vineyards like Gibbston Valley, Peregrine Wines and Mt Rosa, the latter’s Pinot Blanc is a particularly favourite for Ashall.

While the cash has been splashed in rooms like the impressive bathroom, which looks out onto the bluff and the vines, it is some of the smaller details which Ashall is particularly proud of.

“We painted the ceiling in the hallway blue, and I think we managed to bring out all the decorative stuff of the house, all the cornices and that. We've not really ever tried to change the house too much, because the house is beautiful.

“I think what we've tried to do is enhance the things that the house already had.”

The couple are moving on due to work opportunities in Australia, and there is a sense of regret: “This was always supposed to be my forever home, which is probably why it's got so much of my personality in it,” says Ashall.

But the plan is to come back in a few years. Ashall hopes the new owners will be faithful custodians to the home: “I think because I am Māori as well, we have a different view of ownership. It's more like a stewardship.

“The house has got her own personality. She was here long before we were here and will be here long after.

“We want to make sure there's a piece of us left in it.”

The CV on 35 Gibbston Back Road, Gibbston was $3 million on September 2024. Price is by negotiation and the listing is with Liam Beattie at Bayleys.