Hawke's Bay wine trail
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Hawke's Bay has produced wine since the arrival of the first European settlers in the 1850's. By the early 1920's Mission Estate, Te Mata Estate, Vidal Estate, McDonalds Winery and Glenvale Winery (now Esk Valley Winery) were all established in the region. The soils and climate that so excited the early winemaking efforts of those pioneers continues to provide the inspiration for the current generation of Hawke's Bay winemakers. The earliest vineyards in Hawke's Bay were established on the coast and in areas close to the towns of Napier, Havelock North and Hastings. Later development extended to the Heretaunga Plains, which were formed by the movement of the lower reaches of three rivers; the Tutaekuri, The Ngaruroro and the Tukituki Rivers. More recent developments have extended to the edges of the alluvial plains and extend up the regions river valleys. Smaller plantings are exploring hillside sites around the fringes of the Heretaunga Plains as well as higher altitude sites of inland Central Hawke's Bay.
Running across Hawke's Bay, from the sheltering inland ranges in the West to the sea in the East, are five rivers. The valleys they have formed and the movement of the rivers over time, has created a huge diversity of grapegrowing sites. These sites have provided sheltered environments with variations in altitude, aspect to the sun and variations in soil type. From North to South, the rivers are: Mohaka River Valley Through the North of Hawke's Bay runs the deeply cut gorge of the Mohaka River. The white wine vineyards at Raupunga sit on terraces high above the river valley and are influenced by their proximity to the coast. Esk River Valley The Esk Valley with it's narrow opening to the sea provides a unique combination of shelter, warmer sea influences and air drainage. The Esk Valley produces the region's earliest ripening grapes. Predominantly alluvial silt with pockets of silty gravels, plantings here are dominated by Merlot, Chardonnay, Malbec and Cabernet Franc Tutaekuri River Valley The Tutaekuri River Valley has a diversity of soil type and growing environment that is mirrored in its equally diverse range of plantings. The plantings are dominated by Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. This river valley includes the Whitecliff, Woodthorpe, Dartmoor Valley and Moteo areas and has shown some of the highest growing season temperatures in the region. Ngaruroro River Valley The upper reaches of the Ngaruroro River Valley shelter the inland, elevated terraces of Riverview, Ohiti, Crownthorpe, Matapiro and Mangatahi. These have produced some of Hawke's Bay's finest Chardonnays and Sparkling Wines and also contain extensive recent plantings of a range of other varieties, including Pinot Noir. Tukituki River Valley The Tukituki River flows behind Havelock North and has built up a series of river terraces on both banks. Although predominantly planted in Chardonnay and other white varieties, the valley has a long history of producing premium red wine.
The Plains The alluvial plains are characterised by a diversity of soil types created by the rivers changing course. The 25 distinct soil types range from inland gravels, red metal, and free draining soils to the heavier soil types closer to the coast. Some of the regions earliest wineries began in areas closest to commercial activity. These include the extensive plantings at Korokipo as well as Taradale and Meeanee where the history of Hawke's Bay winemaking began. Further inland are the newer plantings of the Triangle and Gimblett Gravels. These areas were formed over several thousands of years by the changing course of the lower Ngaruroro River as it left red metal, free draining alluvial soils, gravel and stony terraces. The accumulated heat and day/night temperature differences, together with the free draining qualities of the soils are the reason many of Hawke's Bay's wineries and vineyards have established plantings of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and other red varieties here.
Hillsides he vineyards at Havelock North on the slopes of Te Mata Peak have been an important feature of Hawke's Bay since the 1890's. More recently the hillside terraces have been re-established at Bay View and new hillside vineyards have been developed at Taradale, Roy's Hill, Bridge Pa and Maraekakaho. With their aspect to the sun, and ability to shed cool night air the hillsides are predominantly planted in classic red varieties.
Coastal Areas Although the maritime influence of the Pacific Ocean extends into much of Hawke's Bay, the two grape growing areas located directly on the coast enjoy the most dramatic effects of the temperate climate and long growing season. The gravelly soils of Bay View in the North and Te Awanga in the South have achieved recognition for premium Chardonnay and early ripening reds.
Central Hawke's Bay Inland at an altitude of 300m Central Hawke's Bay vineyards show potential for cooler climate varieties and sparkling wine. |