A brief introduction to the history and background of the wine industry in Hawke’s Bay together with some notes on current industry trends. Hawke’s Bay differs from other major wine grape growing regions within New Zealand not only through its distinctive soils and climate but also through the range of different growing wine growing micro climates found from the coast line to the inland plains through to inland river valleys and foothills. The major Hawke’s Bay wine grape growing areas are summarised in this article.

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Through the 1990’s the wine industry in Hawkes Bay went through major expansion. By 1995 1600 hectares had been established and by 2003 the area had more than doubled to 3700 hectares. By 2006 it is estimated that a total of 4600 hectares of grape vines will be established within Hawkes Bay.

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The following very brief description and comment on the Hawke’s Bay wine industry is made with the admission that the information given and opinions offered are of necessity, very generalised. There are bound to be exceptions to most facts or opinion offered and perhaps even inaccuracies. Comment and constructive criticism on this article will always be appreciated.

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The Hawke’s Bay District differs from other broad growing areas within New Zealand through the variation in micro climates and soil types within which wine grapes are grown and arguably, the wider range of premium quality wines that might be produced.

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Another growing area with a distinctly cooler microclimate can be found 30 km (as the crow flies) west of Hastings, on the high terraces either side of the Ngaruroro River. The climate here is influenced by the proximity of the nearby Kaweka Mountain Range. Substantial plantings were first initiated by Morton Estate Winery (now New Zealand’s largest independent wine producer), in what is now their flagship winery, Riverview.

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In recent years substantial plantings have been developed over this area by corporate wine investors and other boutique wineries. InHawke’s Bay the Takapau soil series have made a unique and outstanding contribution to the Hawke’s Bay wine Industry over the past decade and as a result have become highly sought after as a preferred medium for premium wine grape production. As with the Gimblett gravel soils, the free draining “red metal’ (volcanic scoria) content of these soils results in a warm, early ripening environment and in the Highway 50 area have proven ideal for a similar range of grape varieties.

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This area was probably the first in Hawke’s Bay to win international recognition, achieved through Te Mata Estate’s Coleraine, their premium blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc.

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A coastal area between the lower reaches of the Tukituki River and the coastal village of Te Awanga. This area has its own distinctively microclimate, being strongly influenced by the cooling effect of daily sea breezes.

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Located immediately west of the city of Hastings. This area is an old riverbed of the nearby Ngaruroro River. Growing vines in the various grades of stone, gravel, silt and sand is in some respects similar to hydroponic plant production, where irrigation is the vine’s life support and medium for plant food or macro element and microelement transfer.

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Visitors leaving Taupo and entering Hawkes Bay via State Highway 5 will travel through the picturesque Esk Valley about 12 kilometers north of the city of Napier. This is a long established Hawkes Bay grape growing area, perhaps best known for the consistently excellent wines produced by Esk Valley Winery (Villa Maria,Hawkes Bay Vineyards).

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