Hawkes Bay Wine Guide

 

Hawkes Bay is one of the most important wine regions in New Zealand thanks to its famous production of excellent red wines, often blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.

Located in the North Island, the vineyards of Hawkes Bay are settled on flatlands near the eastern coast, between the towns of Hastings and Napier. Hawkes Bay is one of the biggest wine regions, just behind Marlborough in terms of hectares of vines. It is the oldest wine-growing area with the viticulture beginning in the nineteenth century when the missionaries planted the first vines to make Mass wine.

Hawkes Bay is the warmest and sunniest region of New Zealand. The warm summers and long autumns are optimal for the vine growing. The heat is tempered by the cool Pacific winds temper the heat that give a maritime climate to the region. However, inlands the Pacific influence is lower so the winemakers have to choose their sites with great care to enjoy the cooler microclimates.

The vineyards weave along the five rivers where they settle on the surrounding hillsides or the terraces. In Hawkes Bay, the type of soils is varied with rich alluvial or drained rocks and the changing relief gives different elevation and sun exposure to the site. Thanks to the many terroirs, the region offers a wide range of wine styles. The Grimblett Gravels terroir is famous because of its production of exceptional red wines. The soils consist of dry gravels that can absorb the heat of the valley floor.

Main grape varieties in Hawkes Bay

Hawkes Bays is famous thanks to the blend red wines of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. The exceptional wines are cool and elegant, with complex flavors. The riper Cabernet Sauvignon grapes bring blackcurrant aromas and the vegetal notes come from the sites' coolness. Merlot grapes give to the wine density and a dark colour.

Syrah is a promising variety in Hawkes Bay. The wine has a European style and gets away from the Australian peppery wines.

Chardonnay in the region produces the most powerful white wine of the country. The wine is full-bodied and riche, with an excellent balance between ripeness and acidity.

Best producers in Hawkes Bay

The most important wine estates in Hawkes Bay are Craggy Range, Te Mata Estate, Trinity Hill and Esk Valley.