In 1989 restaurateur Chris 'Gambo' Gambitsis observed an intricate courtship ritual performed above Marlborough's Wairau Plain by a pair of New Zealand falcons (karearea). Inspired by the endangered birds' fierce battle, Chris chose a falcon emblem for the fledgling winery he and business partner Phil Binnie were to name Lake Chalice Wines.

Lake Chalice Wines now has a sponsorship deal with the Wingspan Birds of Prey Trust, working to preserve New Zealand's raptors.

Karearea, once the top predator in New Zealand skies, is one of the endangered species the trust is working with. As well as helping injured birds, Lake Chalice funds will be used in a captive breeding programme to re-establish wild falcon populations in areas they once inhabited.

A win-win situation would be created if karearea return to Lake Chalice Wines' own Falcon Vineyard. The unique native bird would have another habitat and its customary prey on starlings, skylarks, finches and other small birds would reduce the damage to ripening grapes around harvest time.

Link to WingSpan Bird of Prey Trust website