If Hawkes Bay is New Zealand’s greatest wine region, that would make it one of the world’s. Jump into the Hawkes Bay Wine Guide and discover a new favorite wine region.
Hawkes Bay from Te Mata peak. Image: Te Mata Estate
Guide to Hawkes Bay
Although New Zealand’s known for zingy Sauvignon Blanc and pristine Pinot Noir, this South Pacific nation also produces rich Bordeaux blends, earthy Syrah and ripe Chardonnay. The majority come from temperate Hawkes Bay on the east coast of the North Island.
Get to know the reds, whites and sub-regions that define this slice of wine paradise.
Hawkes Bay Reds
Bordeaux Varietals and Blends
Rich Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot blends have long been Hawkes Bay’s signature red. These Bordeaux blends showcase ripe blackberry, plum, subtle herbs like sage and dusty tannins. Balancing power and elegance, they can get ‘big’ but are never overblown.
Concentrated flavors and fresh acidity reflect the maritime climate and gravelly soils. Yet the harmony of these wines is also a testament to skilled winemakers, whose craft involves augmenting the bold structure and finesse of Cabernet Sauvignon with the bright, focused expression of Hawkes Bay Merlot.
Firm ripe tannins and lifted fragrance accent these wines, which unlike those from warmer climates, remain fresh, elegant and vivacious. These qualities also set them up for the long run.
Hawkes Bay blends tend to be Merlot dominant in the style of ‘right bank’ Bordeaux, with varying amounts of dark, spicy Malbec, red fruit perfuming Cabernet Franc and pungent Petit Verdot for added interest. Distinct single varietal wines displaying that understated Kiwi class are also produced.
Syrah – New Zealand’s next big thing?
Hawkes Bay Syrah exhibits cooler climate characters, with white pepper and perfumed violet petals and licorice to the fore.
The wines often have higher acidity levels, which give a fresher, tangier impression of red and dark fruits than Syrah from hotter climates like California or Chile. French oak, with its subtler smoke and spice influences is favoured over the more potent, vanilla and cream character of American oak.
Hawkes Bay Syrah is often compared with (and sometimes mistaken for) Syrah from the northern Rhone, the varietal’s spiritual home. It’s almost nothing like it’s antipodean neighbor, Shiraz, so it’s just as well they go by different names!
As with the famed Syrah’s of Hermitage or Cotie Rotie, good examples of Hawkes Bay Syrah showcase layers of dark berries, black currant, Morello cherry, coffee, milk chocolate, black olive, charry smoke and exotic spices like nutmeg, cardamom and juniper.
It’s heady stuff! The finish tends to be tight and focused thanks to the region’s sea breeze acidity, while the tannins are typically fine-grained or powdery.
Hawkes Bay Whites
Chardonnay
Hawkes Bay Chardonnay verges on opulence, but fine-tuned acidity and minerality balance the varietal’s potential for richness. As the region’s flagship…
