History
The vineyard has been laid out in 6 sections; Blocks A and B were planted in 2002 with the remainder the following year. We have approximately 40,000 vines planted in 12 hectares. All we grow is Pinot noir and we carefully selected a set of 6 clones which were grafted onto 2 American rootstocks and planted across the vineyard according to soil and aspect.
Over the years we have watched these 12 different plants settle and begin to express wonderfully diverse characters. They respond to weather conditions and the evolution of each vintage quite differently and present us with a rich palette of choice come blending time.
We strongly believe in two established Pinot viticultural tenets: patience is a virtue and strength comes with adversity. As our vines enter their second decade their resilience is proven and the character that only comes with vine age is becoming more defined. On the 45th parallel and at 380m above sea level ours is a vineyard on the edge - we like that and so do our vines.
2016 Vintage - Season Notes
We had some sustained positive rainfall over the winter months, not too many snowfalls to frustrate the pruners although some very cold temperatures’ in July. Nothing to worry about so on balance an uneventful winter.
Spring kicked off nicely too, with budburst in the first week of October followed by healthy rains and warming temperatures’. These were very constructive early conditions and consequently excellent vine development followed.
November became more unsettled with cold fronts bringing annoying frosts once a week that checked the positive progress. December however was just what we ordered; warm days, cool nights and little rain. Perfect atmospherics and optimal soil moisture ensured rapid canopy growth and after a golden spell of classic Wanaka spring weather flowering started in the second half of December delivering an even and full fruit set.
A ridiculously late frost in the first week of January reminded us of our geographical vulnerability and proximity to the stunning Southern Alps. We did take some hits that will result in a reduction in yields for those lower blocks on the flats. An aberration for sure and the summer quickly returned and stayed set for a solid 6 week run. Such an ideal first half meant a busy fruit thinning cycle where we adjusted crop levels down to our sweet spot of 4.5 tons per hectare.
The long period of hot and dry conditions was broken at the end of February with immaculately timed rain that refreshed canopies and recharged soil moisture for the critical push to harvest. Mild and dry weather prevailed for the autumn months providing ideal ripening conditions. The helicopters dealt with a few minor frost events easily enough and harvest commenced on the 26th of April, concluding on the 3rd of May.
Overall a very good season indeed with a clean, healthy crop and resultant wines sitting somewhere between the weight and power of the 2014 and the elegance and perfume of the 2015.
Location
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Hawkesbury Estates promotes the responsible consumption of alcohol, we recommend drinking in moderation with food. Do not drink and drive.
Off-Licence 68/OFF/0011/2015 | Managers Certificates 68/CERT/0944/2016 & 68/CERT/0674/2014