HAWKES BAY is a temperate, maritime region on the east coast of New Zealand’s North Island, situated at latitude 40° south. It is a unique region with a large number of different soil types and micro-climates, yielding many and varied wine styles.
The majority of Trinity Hill’s grape harvest comes from the unique gravel soils and micro-climate of the GIMBLETT GRAVELS region, in the lee of Roy’s Hill. The soils are deep river gravels, left by the Ngaruroro River as it changed course over many thousands of years. These free-draining gravels can be more than 100 metres deep. Their low fertility, along with the ability to control vine vigour by controlling soil moisture, give small crops with highly concentrated flavours and aromas.
This is New Zealand’s premier red wine area.
Trinity Hill produces from our two vineyard sites within the Gimblett Gravels – 20 hectares in each of the “Gimblett Road” and “Gimblett Stones” vineyards. We also draw fruit from a contracted neighbouring vineyard, similarly dedicated to growing for quality rather than quantity.
THE HAWKES BAY HILLS
To the south of the Gimblett Gravels and Heretaunga Plains lie gently rolling hills. Trinity Hill has been involved with the development of three vineyards on land owned by local farmers.
The sites are significantly cooler than the plains and are eminently suitable to Pinot Noir. The first small quantities were produced from the vintage of 2002.
Other varieties grown include Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris and Chardonnay.
OTHER HAWKES BAY SITES
Several vineyards on the Heretaunga Plains provide contracted fruit such as Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay.
