Ant Mackenzie has been a winemaker for other people for his whole career, but of late he’s begun making wines under his own name. His first winemaking job was at…
Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand (1) Tony Bish and the Urban Winery
Tony Bish made his reputation as winemaker for Sacred Hill in Hawke’s Bay. While he remains a consultant and a shareholder in the company, his interests have moved away from…
A case of 2015 reds from the Gimblett Gravels, Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand
Each year, the Gimblett Gravels association – a group in charge of a special terroir in Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand – makes a selection of 12 top reds. This is the…
Two superb Kiwi Chardonnays: Black Estate Home and Tony Bish Golden Egg
Just been for a short break in Akaroa, and tried a couple of very nice Chardonnays. One was from Tony Bish, long-time Hawke’s Bay winemaker with Sacred Hill who has…
A couple from Hawke’s Bay: Craggy Range and Sacred Hill
These impressed the other evening. Craggy Range Te Kahu 2014 Gimblett Gravels, Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand 13.5% alcohol. 68% Merlot, 18% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Malbec, 6% Cabernet Franc. This is…
Three lovely Hawke’s Bay Chardonnays
Hawke’s Bay is becoming quite well known for its Chardonnay. It’s a grape that New Zealand hasn’t really owned in the same way as it has for Sauvignon Blanc and…
Video: flying in a Tiger Moth biplane over the Bridge Pa Triangle vineyards, Hawke’s Bay, NZ
Yesterday was spent in the two main subdistricts of Hawke’s Bay. The afternoon was spent in the famous Gimblett Gravels, but the morning was in the Bridge Pa Triangle Wine…
Bordeaux varieties and blends from New Zealand, with some benchmarks
The second part of the Classic Reds Symposium in Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand, looked at Bordeaux varieties and blends. There were 12 wines, served blind, and as well as the…
Gamay focus, 9 – Te Mata Gamay Noir 2014 Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand
Continuing the Gamay quest, we are off to New Zealand. There are just 7.3 hectares of Gamay Noir in New Zealand. And the producer who has led the way with…