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Wine Region |
Wine Region |
Wine Region |
Wine Region |
Wine Region |
Wine Region |
Wine Region |
Welcome to the Wines of Hawke's BayHawke's Bay is on the east coast of the North Island. It is blessed by a warm and sunny climate and is a region ideally suited to the growing of fruit, vegetables and grapes. The twin cities of Hastings and Napier form the hub of the Region. Their appearance and architecture owes much to a massive earthquake in 1931 that all but destroyed Napier, and took 258 lives with it. The city was rebuilt in the prevailing Art Deco and Spanish Mission styles of the time. Napier is known today as the art deco capital of the world.Wines have been produced in the Region since the 19th century. Best wine varieties include Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. The region is proud of its wine-making tradition and each year hosts a number of festivals to celebrate the joys of wine. These include:
Regional Vintage GuideThe table below indicates the quality of wine vintages in the Hawke's Bay Region for each of the past ten years. Please note that the information is indicative only and that the quality of grapes grown may vary from one vineyard to another. | Hawke's Bay Information    
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| Brookfield Vineyards is a small volume winery for the connoisseur. Its best wines are the classic Bordeaux style varieties of Chardonnay and Cabernet. Whilst shy of competitions, the winery has won its share of gold. Winemaker Peter Robertson's Marshall Bank Chardonnay is creamy, toasty and complex. His gold label Cabernet Merlot is characterised by its dark colour and ripe fruit flavours. Both wines are made for cellaring. |
Brookfields Vineyards |
| Craggy Range is a winery to watch. Owned by an American, Terry Peabody and with viticulturist Steve Smith MW, Craggy Range was established in 1998. The winery is totally focussed on the production of quality Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, from vineyeards in the Hawke's Bay and Martinborough. Its philosophy is based on careful vineyard selection and management, and an emphasis on quality at all stages of the production process. The initial vintages have been well received and have established the Winery's reputation for the production of quality Chardonnay. |
Craggy Range Winery |
| Clearview Estate boarders the Pacific Ocean. Proprietors Tim Turvey and Helma van den Berg brag that they produce New Zealand's most power packed Chardonnay - lots of melolatic fermentation and oak. Bob Campbell (MW) describes their award winning Chardonnay as "Exceptionally mouth-filling and overflowing with peachy, oaky, mealy flavour...a hedonist's delight". Now in its 10th year, Clearview Estate also produces an award winning Reserve Merlot and its "Old Olive Block" Merlot Cabernet was recently awarded a gold medal at the 2000 Royal Easter Wine Show. Its winery restaurant was also judged the "Best Cafe" in the Hawke's Bay by Cafe Magazine. |
Clearview Estate |
| Church Road Winery is owned by Montana wines - one of New Zealand's largest producers of wine. The brand is synonymous with quality Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon based wines, and produced at Montana's historic McDonald's winery in Taradale near Napier. Wine Writer Michael Cooper rates as "classics" both the Winery's Reserve Chardonnay and its Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot. The 1998 Reserve Chardonnay was awarded a silver medal at the prestigious International Wine Challenge 2000 (London). To enhance the quality of their Cabernet style wines, Montana has enlisted the help of Cordier, one of France's most respected wine producers. If visiting the winery, be sure to visit the wine museum and restaurant, and to sample Church Road wines with fine food. Church Road wines are exported to the United Kingdom and Australia. |
Church Road Winery |
| Ngatarawa Wines is located in a secluded rural setting to the west of Hastings. Old equestrian stables house the winery and cellar. Winemaker Alwyn Corban's best wines are branded Glazebrook. His wines have recently been honoured at the Sydney Wine Show and the Air New Zealand Wine Awards. His Noble Harvest Riesling is a sumptuous, honey flavoured sticky - a must have for any lover of sweet wines as is his more expensive Alwyn Noble Harvest. Also recommended is Ngatarawa's Glazebrook Chardonnay. |
Ngatarawa Wines |
| Sacred Hill Wines is a beautiful winery to visit. It is located in the low-lying hills to the west of Napier - about 20 minutes by car. On a sunny summers day, the winery and its leafy surrounds are perfect for a picnic with family or friends. The winery produces a range of wines, some better than others. Wines of note include the award winning Rifleman's Chardonnay, the Basket press Cabernet Sauvignon and the Basket Press Merlot. You will be pleasantly surprised by Sacred Hill's Bordeaux style Sauvage Sauvignon Blanc and their wonderfully sweet and sticky XS Noble Riesling. Sacred Hill wines are exported to the United Kingdom, the United States of America and Holland. |
Sacred Hill Winery |
| Sileni Estates is more than just a winery. Established in 1998, it showcases an architecturally designed epicurian centre housing the Winery's cellar, tasting room, gourmet food store and award winning restaurant. Its wines are excellent, especially its wonderful EV Merlot Cabernet Franc and its Chardonnay. Sileni Estate welcomes visitors and is open seven days a week. It also offers luxury accomodation, wine courses and a cooking school. |
Sileni Estates |
| Stonecroft Wines is my personal favourite. Dr Alan Limmer tends his small arid vineyard and looks to the Rhone region of France for inspiration to make his perfect wines. While shunning wine competitions, his Syrah is regarded by many as the best of its kind in New Zealand. His Gewürztraminer with its perfume of lychee and rose never disappoints. Nor does his Chardonnay. If wanting to buy Stonecroft Wines, you need to get on the mailing list as top vintage wines sell out quickly. |
Stonecroft Wines |
| Te Mata Estate always impresses with the sheer quality and value of its wines. Its top varieties are named after famous ships. Coleraine, a Bordeaux style Cabernet Merlot, is the winery's star performer and regarded by many as New Zealand's best red wine. Almost as good, but a little cheaper, is Awatea, another Cabernet Merlot. In my view, Te Mata's Elston Chardonnay is one of the best Chardonnays produced in New Zealand. Also recommended is Te Mata's Cape Crest Sauvignon Blanc with its oak treatment and pineapple flavours. |
Temata Estate |
| Trinity Hill Wines is the vehicle of John Hancock, a well known New Zealand wine writer and judge. The winery has established a solid reputation for its high quality Chardonnay, Merlot and Syrah wines. Proof of this is that Trinity Hill Wines are featured on the menus of some of the world's top restaurants including London's elite Ramsays restaurant and Melbourne's Circa restaurant. Trinity Hill is open seven days a week for tastings, and its wines are exported to most parts of the world including North America, Europe, Israel, the United Kingdom and Australia. |
Trinity Hill Wines |
| Vidal Estate is one of New Zealand's oldest wineries. It was established by Spanish immigrants in 1905 and has achieved an enviable reputation for the production of high quality wine across a range of varieties. Winemaker Rod McDonald's 1998 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot was recently judged by Cuisine magazine to be one of New Zealand's very best red wines. Other top varieties include Chardonnay, Riesling and Sauvignon Blanc and a very good Noble Semillon. All of these wines have been awarded gold and silver medals in international and local wine competitions including the International Wine Challenge 2000 (London), the Air New Zealand Wine Awards and the Sydney Top 100. The winery is open for tastings seven days a week and features a popular restaurant. Vidal wines are exported to the United Kingdom, Canada, throughout the Pacific, Singapore and Hong Kong. | Vidal Estate |
