Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/39104
NEW ZEALAND ALLISON LEVINE CONTINUES HER PHOTO TOUR OF NEW ZEALAND IN BREEZY Hawke’s Bay story and photos by Allison Levine ith its first plantings dating back to 1851, Hawke’s Bay is the oldest wine region in New Zealand. This large, geographically diverse area is the second largest wine region after Marlborough, with 5,000 producing hectares, 79 wineries and 171 growers. The North Island’s climate and viticultural conditions are similar to Bordeaux. It’s one of the warmest areas, with low fertility, hot sun, westerly winds, diverse soil (25 different W types) and climates ranging from breezy coastal locales to alluvial plains to high-altitude inland sites. Of note is the famous growing area of Gimblett Gravels, on average three to four degrees hotter than other microclimates, and consist- ing of 800 hectares of former river gravels north of Hastings. For Anthony Dias Blue’s tasting notes on Hawke’s Bay wines, go to www.tastingpanelmag.com. While driving south to Hawke’s Bay, I made a lunch stop in Taupo. Winemaker and Managing Director Kate Radburnd has been with the family- owned CJ Pask since 1991. CJ Pask played a leading role in the develop- ment of Gimblett Gravels, and Kate has had a significant role in the develop- ment of the Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand program. Winemaker Matt Stafford stands in the Craggy Range wine lab overlooking the beautiful Te Mata Peak. With Steve Smith, MW as Wine and Viticulture Director, Craggy Range focuses on single vineyard wines that reflect the regions and terroirs of New Zealand, focusing on Hawke’s Bay, Wairarapa and Marlborough. Manager Roelof “Rudy” Crane visits the 9,000-bottle wine cellar “Abundance” (90% of the wines are from New Zealand) during a tour of the 1920’s Huka Lodge, an elegant and tranquil luxury oasis. Peter Gough, Senior Winemaker and Viticulturist, stands outside the Ngatarawa tasting room and offices, which are converted stables from the 1890s. Exported to the U.S. under the label Glazebrook, the winery is owned by fourth-generation winemaker Alwyn Corban and was the first winery in the Bridge Pa Triangle. 74 / the tasting panel / august 201 1 Winemaker Steve Skinner and Viticulturist Brittany Thompson overlook the vineyards of Elephant Hill, planted in 2003, with Cape Kidnappers in the background. With 60 acres planted along the Te Awanga Coast, Elephant Hill’s first harvest was in 2007 and today produces Sustainably Certified single-estate wines. Owner Ian Isaacs stands in the middle of his retail store Scenic Cellars, the largest underground wine retail cellar in New Zealand, with more than 2,000 wines and 100,000 bottles (60–70% New Zealand wines). More than 30 years old, Scenic Cellars is the longest running independent retail store in New Zealand.