Recommended Hawke's Bay Wineries

Among the best of the Bay’s 65 wineries to visit are:

Brookfield Vineyards is a small volume winery for the connoisseur. Its best wines are the classic Bordeaux style varieties of Chardonnay and Cabernet. Winemaker Peter Robertson's Marshall Bank Chardonnay is creamy, toasty and complex. His gold label Cabernet Merlot is characterised by a dark colour and ripe fruit flavours. A popular restaurant is on-site for lunch daily. 
 
C J Pask Winery was founded in 1985 by Chris Pask and his daughter Tessa McKay. Chris pioneered grape plantings at Gimblett Road. The winery now owns and manages over 100 hectares of vineyard and its annual production has increased to some 48,000 cases, based largely on the premium varieties of Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. C J Pask produces three distinct ranges: the Reserve Range is produced in limited quantities only when the fruit quality is exceptional; and the Gimblett Road Range and Roys Hill Range are produced in commercial quantities in very consistent styles from vintage to vintage. 
 
Clearview Estate borders the Pacific Ocean and produces powerful wines. 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". 

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. 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. The restaurant serves lunch daily. It also stages summer concerts. 
 
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 focused on the production of quality Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, from vineyards in 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. Its newley opened restaurant, Terroir, features soaring ceilings, huge fireplaces roasting chickens, stone terraces and inventive NZ cuisine. Terroir features local produce, fresh breads and a superb wine menu. The restaurant was recently named by Condé Nast Traveller as one of the Top-75 restaurants in the world!

Elephant Hill is a producer of premium single-estate Hawke’s Bay wines. The vineyard enjoys the spoils of a temperate, dry climate and an extended growing season.  Cooled by afternoon Pacific Ocean sea breezes, the shingle vineyard grows wines that display a wonderful fruit purity and elegance.  This moderated climate results in intense flavour development ensuring that distinct wines are produced representing the terrior of Te Awanga.

Esk Valley is best known for the production of high quality red wines. A member of the Villa Maria group of companies, Esk Valley frequently ranks amongst the best of New Zealand wines in local and overseas wine competitions. Top of the winery's range is The Terraces, a Merlot/Malbec and Cabernet Franc blend. This is followed by its reserve labeled wines, and then its black labeled wines. 

Matariki Wines is owned by former New Zealand rugby representative John O'Connor and his wife Rosemary. Their mission is "to produce fruit driven wines of elegance and complexity, handcrafted from a tapestry of soils grown in harmony with nature". Matariki's main vineyard is located on the stony barren soils of Gimblett Rd - an area recently recognised by Harvey Steinman, writing in Wine Spectator Magazine, as an area producing several top-rated reds. 
 
Ngatarawa Wines is located in a secluded rural setting to the west of Hastings. The winery and its cellar door are housed in an old equestrian stables fronted by a tranquil lily pond and gardens. Winemaker Alwyn Corban's best wines are now labeled with the Alwyn name, followed by wines labeled Glazebrook. His Merlot Cabernet 1998 was recently judged to be a "Wine of Outstanding Quality" at the Sydney Top 100 Wine Show, was awarded a gold medal at the International Wine Challenge 2000 in London and picked up another gold at the Air New Zealand Wine Awards 1999. His Noble Harvest Riesling is a sumptuous and honey flavoured sticky. Also recommended is Ngatarawa's Glazebrook Chardonnay. 

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. It is perfect for a picnic on a warm sunny day. The winery produces a range of wines, including both affordable drink now wines, and more expensive award-winning products. Wines of note include the Rifleman's Chardonnay, the Basket Press Cabernet Sauvignonand  the Basket Press Merlot. Sacred Hill offers lunch on weekends only. 
 
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 a superb restaurant. Owner Graeme Avery is a visionary in the wine industry.
 
Te Awa - Te Awa o Te Atua - means River of God, a reference to the mysterious subterranean streams over which Te Awa Farm is sited. In 1992 the Lawson family purchased their property on the corner of Ngatarawa Road and State Highway 50 with the intent of growing premium grapes and making fine wine, especially the Bordeaux varieties. The vineyard  is located on land now recognised as part of the Gimblett Gravels Wine Growing District. An area that produces some of New Zealand's most sought after Cabernet, Merlots and Chardonnay wines. In making its wines, Te Awa's philosophy is "to achieve balanced wines, reflecting the grapes from which they are made, and having the individuality of our vineyard site - our  terroir". Its excellent restaurant is open daily for lunch.
 
Te Mata Estate always impresses with the sheer consistency, quality and value of its wines. Te Mata Estate Winery originated as part of Te Mata Station, a large pastoral land holding established by English immigrant John Chambers in 1854. His third son, Bernard, influenced by the comments from visitors that the hills were suitable for grape growing, planted vines in 1892. Wine was first made from those grapes in 1896. The winery makes some of New Zealand's very best Bordeaux style wines. Top of its range is Coleraine, a Bordeaux style Cabernet Merlot regarded by many as New Zealand's best red wine. Another wine to savour is Te Mata's  Elston Chardonnay. The winery welcomes visitors for tastings and tours, and is notable for its architecture and design.  

Trinity Hill Wines is the vehicle of John Hancock, a well known New Zealand winemaker 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 Ramsay's restaurant and Melbourne's Circa restaurant. Trinity Hill is open seven days a week for tastings.
 
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 producing high quality wine across a range of varieties. Winemaker Rod McDonald's 1998 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot was 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. The winery is open for tastings seven days a week and features a popular restaurant open for lunch and dinner daily. 
 

 
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