Unlike the aged soils of many traditional wine regions, our gravelly, free-draining soil is raw and untamed, influencing every aspect of our vines. Here, we don’t just cultivate vines – we cultivate the very soil, watching it evolve as the vineyard grows, gradually breaking down and developing its unique character.

Nestled inland, protected from cooling sea breezes, Gimblett Gravels enjoys a warm, consistent microclimate. The soils, a mix of greywacke stones and layers of silt and sand, stretch at least 40 metres deep. This low-fertility, free-draining terrain presents both a challenge and a gift, forcing the vines to dig deep for nutrients, resulting in wines of intense character and complexity.

Though classified as a temperate maritime climate, the heat-absorbing stones create a warmer environment than other parts of Hawke’s Bay. This warmth enhances ripening and flavour development, producing fresh, aromatic grapes that yield full-bodied wines with remarkable depth and structure.

From the beginning, we embraced high-density planting in narrow rows to reduce crop load and maximise quality. This approach, while labour intensive, results in smaller, more concentrated berries that produce exceptional wines – proving that every bit of extra effort is well worth the reward.