Hawkes Bay
Located on the east coast of the North Island at 39 degrees latitude south, Hawkes Bay is NZ's second largest grape growing region. The region is multi-talented, with long hot summer days and cooling nights, producing exceptional red wines from inland vineyard sites and fresh zesty white wines along the coastal fringe. Climatically speaking Hawkes Bay enjoys a diverse climate, spanning cool to warm, thanks to surrounding geography with ranges to the west and the Pacific Ocean to the east. Generally speaking (although there are some exceptions), cooling easterly sea breezes moderate temperatures on the eastern coastal fringe whilst western inland areas enjoy warm dry Fohn winds from the nearby westerly Ruahine and Tararua ranges. Most grape vines can be found planted on the lower Heretaunga Plains of Hawkes Bay, which is broadly classified into the following districts: Coastal - Bayview, Meeanee and Cape Kidnappers Other areas found in the hills and valleys include Eskdale, Dartmoor Valley and Tukituki. Mills Reef's chosen vineyard sites are the stony soils of the warm inland Gimblett Gravels district for fine Bordeaux reds and Syrah, and the cooler coastal Meeanne district on sandy soils for fresh lively white wines. Whilst NZ is best known for Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir from the cooler South Island regions, the comparatively warmer region of Hawkes Bay has forged an undoubted reputation for outstanding Bordeaux red and Syrah wines, and soft generously textured white wines with trademark tropical flavours. To locate our vineyards, click here. | |