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Trinity Hill is a partnership between John Hancock, Robert and Robyn Wilson (owners of London’s Bleeding Heart and The Don restaurants) and Aucklanders Trevor and Hanne Janes. Three entities, hence “Trinity Hill”.
1987: The idea for the future development of Trinity Hill Limited is born. The partners’ focus is to develop vineyards with the intention of growing world-class wines that just happen to come from New Zealand.
1993: A 20 hectare block in Gimblett Road is purchased, named “Gimblett Estate”, to produce Hawkes Bay wines, of international standard.
1994/5: The first grapes are planted: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah and Chardonnay.
1996: The first small vintage is made off-site.
1997: Stage 1 of The Winery was built on a site on State Highway 50, the old Roy’s Hill Road, completed in time for the 1997 vintage. The Cellar Door is established. Pinot Gris vines are planted in front of the winery.
A large tract of land around and up the valley behind the winery has been landscaped and the maturing gardens are now a popular picnic area, offering a peaceful retreat and excellent rural views.
1998: First 1997 Gimblett Road wines, barrel-aged, are released: Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot and Syrah, to critical acclaim and a number of gold medals and trophies.
1999: Winemaking facilities combining the traditional with the modern are incorporated in the completion of the Barrel Hall.
2000: A further 20 hectare piece of prime Gimblett Gravels is purchased, named “Gimblett Stones”. Planting takes place over the following 2 years: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot plus areas of Tempranillo, Syrah and Viognier. At the same time, some Chardonnay in the Gimblett Estate is top-grafted to Viognier, Tempranillo and Montepulciano.
2001: Another small block of Pinot Gris vines is planted on the other side of the drive into the Winery.
The Gimblett Gravels Winegrowers Association is set up with 34 wineries and winegrowers from a “terroir”-defined area of the old Ngaruroro Riverbed, including Gimblett Road. Trinity Hill is a founding member.
2002: The first super-premium wine, based on Syrah and called Homage, is made, first released in 2004 to critical acclaim world-wide.
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