Located at 39.4° South (the same as Madrid in the North), Hawke’s Bay is one of the hottest and sunniest areas of New Zealand. Sheltering inland ranges and a maritime influence provide the perfect climate balance for a long growing season with low rainfall and high sunshine hours.
With more than 25 soil types, from clay loam to limestone to sands and gravel, the region offers a tremendous diversity for wine styles. Add to that a choice of sites from coastal to inland foothills, altitudes from virtually sea level to several hundred metres and Hawke’s Bay is a region with limitless grape growing opportunities.
Hawke’s Bay has produced wine since the arrival of the first European settlers in the 1850’s. By the early 1920’s several wineries were all established in the region. The soils and climate that excited the early winemaking efforts of those pioneers continue to provide the inspiration for the current generation of Hawke’s Bay winemakers.
Today, over 3300 hectares of wine producing grapes are planted here. Hawke’s Bay has the largest plantings of red grape varieties in New Zealand and has the second largest number of plantings overall. The combined plantings of red varieties account for nearly half the grapes in Hawke’s Bay. Chardonnay plantings are the largest for a single variety at 26% of total plantings and reflects the outstanding quality produced in the region.
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