Hawkes Bay is the oldest established wine growing region in New Zealand and for a long time has made a significant contribution to the New Zealand wine industry in terms of quality and quantity. Hawkes Bay vineyards are planted on a range of soil types from deep free draining gravel to heavier silts and loams, this has allowed the successful development of all the classical grape varieties to a very high degree of quality.
The growing seasons are warm, generally low in humidity, with continued heat right through to April, ideal for late maturing varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon and Riesling. The measure of success for the Hawkes Bay region is best reflected in the many awards earned each year over all wine styles from delicate sparkling wines to full flavoured dry reds and sweet desert wines. Chardonnay and Cabernet blends are regularly considered the best in New Zealand, with Sauvignon Blanc and Riesling also commanding recognition.
Hawkes Bay has a number of sub regions which offer unique conditions for grape growing and wine making.
Te Mata / Havelock North. This very attractive area comprises hill sites which are rich in calcium and river flats with stoney soils. The resulting fruit is ripe, rich in flavours and of very high quality.
Taradale / Meeanee / Brookfields. Situated just over a Kilometere from the coast, the soil type in this area is silty loam with fertility ranging from light to moderate. Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc are two varieties ideally suited to this location.
Hamoana / Te Awanga A unique coastal strip tucked in beside Cape Kidnappers. The area is virtually frost free with deep, underlying river shingles, warm, early ripening conditions and constant sea breezes.
Fernhill / Ngatarawa / Ohiti. This area is characterised by soils with a high grave content and a low capacity for holding water. Irrigation management controls wine vigour, resulting in very ripe fruit flavours across a range of varieties and vintages.
Mangatahi / Maraekakaho. This sub region is dominated by the Ngaruroro River with most vineyards situated on old river terraces consisting of shingly, free draining soils. These soils have low fertility resulting in reduced vigour vines.
Esk Valley / Bay View. Vineyards thrive with an ideal combination of shelter from surrounding hills and exposure to sea breazes. The temperate climate of this sub region and its reputation for early ripening,has led to a recent increase in plantings and wineries.
Dartmoor / Puketapu A picturesque and sheltered inland valley with its own microclimate. River gravels and calcareous silts from the surrounding limestone hills and river terraces offer a variety of vineyard soil fertility.
Each year the Hawkes Bay Vintners association host a summer celebration of their wine region-the Harvest Hawkes Bay Weekend.
This has become New Zealand's most prestigious and entertaining wine event, attracting thousands of visitors each February. The unique focal point of the weekend is the Hawkes Bay Vintners Charity Wine Auction where winemakers from the region offer a selection of their wines to the highest Bidder. The proceeds are donated to Cranford Hospice and provide a major source of funding for its work and the terminally ill and their families in the Hawkes Bay community.
The Auction features barrel lots of quality wines , many of which are specially prepared for the event. Some are also presented in hand crafted boxes and bottles in association with an artist or an original work of art.
Other features of the weekend include an exclusive Hawkes Bay Vintners Charity Dinner and the sale by tender of a unique regional blend known as The Assemblage.
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