Written by Robert Giorgione; a guest writer for Winekeller, a passionate New Zealand wine specialist, brand ambassador and award-winning sommelier, and owner of Roving Sommelier Wines & Deli

An introduction to Hawke’s Bay

Marlborough may be the most internationally famous of the New Zealand wine regions, yet often overlooked Hawke’s Bay in the North Island is arguably the most underrated and it also happens to be the 2nd largest wine producing region, as well as the oldest wine region in New Zealand.

Additionally the spotlight is now focused on New Zealand’s Hawke’s Bay region as it becomes the 12th and the latest of the word’s wine regions to join the ‘Great Wine Capital Global Network’.

Hawke’s Bay and wine tourism go hand in hand and the locals will ensure you receive a warm welcome wherever you visit or stay. The wealth of gourmet treats to be discovered along the wine, food and art trails that weave their way through the twin cities of Napier and Hastings as well as Havelock North and the surrounding countryside certainly makes this New Zealand wine region exciting to visit and discover and and a Hawkes Bay wine tour a must! 

Hawke’s Bay has much to offer and I suggest that you spend quality time within the region, especially if you are an antiques buff, as cultural Napier is a place chock full of art deco and other treasures which I am sure will delight any connoisseur. In addition, to the west you have the central part of New Zealand which contains the spectacularly vast Lake Taupo.

The produce from this region is varied and delicious and fine restaurants abound. Lake Taupo’s fat trout are legendary, and if you catch one your lodge restaurant will often agree to cook it for you, and there are plenty of self-catering options, too.

What’s more, Hawke’s Bay is home to some of the oldest and most historic vineyards in New Zealand, some going as far back as the 1850s.

Hawke’s Bay wines

Hawke’s Bay wines are highly regarded both locally and internationally and many have gone on to achieve iconic status. More than 30 local Hawkes Bay wineries have banded together to market their “Gimblett Gravels” appellation, applied to wines produced from these unique soils of the area. Hawke’s Bay’s long, balmy summer gives the grapes plenty of time to develop rich flavours and a deep structure for longevity. Top-notch Chardonnay and red grape varietals, especially Cabernet sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah have performed particularly well here.

Gimblett Gravels wines

Founded in 2001, the Gimblett Gravels Winegrowers Association brings together some of New Zealand’s finest producers with a fervent respect for the concept of terroir, combined with modern day thinking to define, protect and market wine. Covering 800 hectares in Hawke’s Bay, the Gimblett Gravels Wine Growing District is an appellation defined by soil type, producing some of the world’s finest full-bodied red wines.

The gravelly soils combined with Hawke’s Bay extra summer and autumn heat puts the terroir alongside the world’s famous producers of Bordeaux varieties and Syrah. Essentially, this special soil type was formed many years ago after a huge flood and contains alluvial, riverbed stones and silts from the ancient Ngaruroro River. The Gimblett Gravels Wine Growing District is located in between Roy’s Hill and the townships of Fernhill and Flaxmere.

Hawke's Bay is located on the eastern side of the North Island and is one of New Zealand's warmest regions. With high sunshine hours and low rain fall (780mm year) Hawke’s Bay is perfectly suited to growing wine grapes and crafting premium wine. Shared belief is that great wines are hand-made wines where meticulous attention to detail starts in the vineyard.

A few Hawkes Bay wineries have gone on to establish a connection with food, and many excellent winery restaurants serve seriously delicious fare. There’s plenty of choice of fine wines that can also be tasted at the cellar door, too. My recommendations include Craggy Range and Elephant Hill winery restaurants for top eats, great wines, and local homegrown produce with amazingly picturesque views. 

Elephant Hill Winery

Established in 2003, Elephant Hill is a stunning and innovative winery estate located a stone’s throw from the idyllic Te Awanga coast in Hawke's Bay, New Zealand. Proprietors Reydan and Roger Weiss first fell in love with the beauty of Te Awanga when visiting from Germany in 2001. Together they envisaged owning a state-of-the-art winery, merging the traditional values of winemaking with an innovative approach and contemporary style to produce exceptional Elephant Hill wines to savour and enjoy.

Inspired by the Pacific Ocean, Cape Kidnappers and the natural beauty of the Te Awanga coast, the foundation of the architectural design of Elephant Hill is built on an ethos of respect for the environment and landscape. Stylish, warm, and inviting Elephant Hill in Hawke’s Bay is just the spot to relax and enjoy fine wines whilst taking in breathtaking views over the vineyard and Pacific Ocean. 

Now in the hands of Andreas - the second generation of the Weiss family - Elephant Hill has three vineyards in the renowned sub-regions of Hawke’s Bay. The coastal Te Awanga Vineyard, the inland Gimblett Vineyard in the Gimblett Gravels Winegrowers District and The Triangle Vineyard in the Bridge Pa Triangle region. The winemaking at Elephant Hill is driven by tradition while not losing sight of what innovation can bring to the blend. Their aim is to make wines that are balanced and elegant and a true expression of the vineyards they come from.

Tip from Robert:

Wine tastings and accommodation are also available at Elephant Hill offering wonderful hospitality and where you can enjoy delicious food and wines at the cellar door shop and restaurant. In good weather, you can also enjoy relaxing on the outside deck overlooking the coastal vineyard, Cape Kidnappers, and the Pacific Ocean. An extremely beautiful landscape awaits you.

Craggy Range Winery and Craggy Range Restaurant

Craggy Range is a family-owned winery that produces world-class wines, situated in the shadow of the spectacular Te Mata Peak in the premium wine growing area of Hawke’s Bay. Apart from a fabulous range of premium, terroir-focussed wines and truly spectacularly scenery, for me the jewel in the crown is Craggy Range’s fine-dining restaurant located at the Giants winery.

The Craggy Range Restaurant is a recipient of two chef hats and the coveted title of Winery Restaurant of the Year in the Cuisine Good Food Awards. A place to immerse yourself in the best of the Hawke’s Bay region has to offer, Craggy Range Restaurant offers an intimate, comfortable and relaxed space to enjoy Executive Chef Casey McDonald’s regionally inspired menu alongside Craggy Range wines. A diverse selection of fruits, herbs, and vegetables, meticulously cultivated and nurtured in the Craggy Range Kitchen Garden, form the cornerstone of the chef’s evolving menu. These seasonal ingredients are thoughtfully complemented by the contributions of a dedicated local community, including passionate growers, farmers, and artisans. Craggy Range Restaurant offers a warm and memorable experience, looking out on the spectacular backdrop of Te Mata Peak. The outdoor terrace is reserved for restaurant guests to enjoy a drink before or after their meal and is unavailable on a walk-in basis. 

Craggy Range is fortunate to be located in Hawke’s Bay; home to some of New Zealand’s finest produce. In addition to the acclaimed regional menu, they take great pride in offering vegetarian or plant-based alternatives, which truly celebrate the extensive spoils of the Craggy Range Kitchen Garden. The menu is complemented by a wine list that features a selection of Craggy Range wine from current and back vintages, a range of locally brewed beers, and an ever-changing curated selection of cocktails. A perfect way to sample top notch regional food and drink.

Tip from Robert:

If the superb restaurant isn’t enough, there is also a well-stocked Cellar Door and Shop that hosts wine tastings, and boutique accommodation, including luxury vineyard and garden lodges and cottages amongst the vines and under the escarpment of Te Mata peak.

Other top Hawke’s Bay wine producers

Other top Hawke’s Bay wine producers worth visiting include Villa Maria, Te Mata, Sacred Hill and Esk Valley, amongst others. You can easily stay in lovely Napier and use its tranquil coastal setting as a base from which to make your own itinerary and travel around the region at your own leisurely pace. Take your time, as there’s plenty to see and enjoy.

Tip from Robert:

Far out to the east of Hawke’s Bay wine country, The Farm at Cape Kidnappers sits atop rolling hills and rugged cliffs that give way to vast sea views and an ever-present horizon. Home to not only a lodge and spa this unique property also boasts one of the world’s top golf courses, a sanctuary for some of New Zealand’s most precious flora and fauna, and a working farm. Warm and enveloping, Cape Kidnappers generous suites offer sumptuous comfort and awe-inspiring views in equal parts.

Conclusion

To conclude, rich and bountiful Hawke’s Bay is an exciting, must-visit location for any avid wine tourist and lover of epicurean treats, where all of this, and more, can be enjoyed in stunning scenery. As for me, a Hawke’s Bay wine tour and waking up to a picture-postcard sunrise over the Pacific Ocean a stone’s throw from the beach are definitely two things that I have ticked off my own New Zealand bucket list. 

The epicurean odyssey continues…. 

More about Robert Giorgione:

Award-winning sommelier Robert Giorgione has been in the hospitality and retail industry for more than 35 years, including 17 years of experience in London where he worked as wine buyer and head sommelier in some of the best fine-dining restaurants and retail establishments, and also won many prestigious awards for his wine lists and sommelier skills. Most recently, Robert also picked up valuable experience in retail and customer service at the iconic Wally’s in Cardiff and previously worked as sommelier at the famous Park House Restaurant, Wine Bar and Private Rooms also in Cardiff, where he massively contributed to the establishment’s successful reputation for fine-dining and sommelier service and its award-winning wine list.

Now relocated to beautiful South Wales, Robert owns and runs Roving Sommelier Wines & Deli – an independent wine merchant and deli in Newport Market and Food Court, which stocks some of the finest affordable premium wines from around the world and epicurean treats, and Robert works enthusiastically to guide wine lovers and consumers towards something that’s right both for palate and pocket.

See here for further details.

In addition to this Robert has many years of experience as a wine consultant for a variety of private and corporate clients, (New Zealand Wine Growers, Wine Chap, Naked Wines, and Les Caves de Pyrene, amongst many others), and has been a wine judge for many prestigious international wine awards and competitions (his areas of experience include New Zealand, Regional Italy, Spain, and South-West France). In fact, the South-West of France, and in particular the region of Roussillon has a special place in Robert’s heart, as he has a real fondness for the local Vin Doux Naturel wines that pair extremely well with desserts and chocolate. In October 2012, while working with William Curley, Robert won the UK Final of the Roussillon Dessert Competition alongside pastry chef Sarah Frankland. The sommelier and chef pâtissier team went on to represent the UK in the European Final held in Perpignan in April 2013 and won the overall title of European Champions, beating the crème de la crème of Belgium, Holland, Germany, and Denmark. An achievement and experience that Robert is genuinely proud of.

Robert’s talents and experience also extends to writing, blogging, and between 2010 and 2013 he produced 275 roving sommelier video blogs on his Roving Sommelier TV You Tube channel.