Our milestones

From transforming agricultural land into productive fruit orchards to constructing a leading-edge packhouse outfitted with the latest food-grade technologies while fostering a culture of team pride, it has been quite a journey...

2016

Hortinvest is born

Ross and Sharon Kirk establish Hortinvest Limited at Wanaka, Central Otago.

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2017

Daring to dream

Seven investors establish Tarras Cherry Corp Limited. Ross Kirk conducts a feasibility study into growing cherries.

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2018

The start of something special

The first cherry trees are planted at Tarras Cherry Corp.

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2018

Backing horticulture

Ross and Sharon Kirk collaborate with traditional sheep and beef farmers to transform land into cherry orchards at Lindis Peaks and Mt Pisa stations.

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2019

Major plantings begin

The first cherry tree plantings begin at Lindis Peaks and Mt Pisa.

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2020

Expanding the vision

Successive plantings get underway at Lindis Peaks and Mt Pisa.

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2020

Venturing into apricots

Ross and Sharon Kirk collaborate with Bruce and Linda Jolly and become the founders of Ardgour Valley Orchards. The first apricots and cherries are planted.

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2021

Off to market

The first cherries from Tarras Cherry Corp are exported.

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2021

Hidden Valley brand

The Hidden Valley brand is created to market cherries from Tarras Cherry Corp.

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2022

Beyond brand launched

Beyond Brand was created to showcase cherries from Lindis Peaks and Mt Pisa orchards

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2022

Marketing to the world

Southern Fruits International LP is established as the sales and marketing arm of Hortinvest Ltd and the SFI team, led by Sharon Kirk, attend Asia Fruit Logistica in Bangkok, Thailand in November to meet with discerning cherry buyers from all over the globe.

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2022

Packhouse at Tarras

Ross Kirk oversees construction and fit-out of the high-tech Lindis Coolpac packhouse at Tarras.

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2022

Ready for export

Beyond brand cherries from Lindis Peaks and Mt Pisa are exported for the first time

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2022

Realising a dream

For the first time, fruit from all orchards – cherries and specialty apricots – are packed at the new Southern Fruits International packhouse and exported.

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Lindis Peaks cherry orchard spans over 80 hectares in the Lindis Valley.

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