Day 3- Napier Winery Tour

Lyn from Tauranga Tasting Tours & Charters

We had originally planned to go to Te Awa, but they had not returned to acceptable service since Covid lockdown so we replaced them with STONERIDGE. The presenter was one of the owners & it was interesting to hear about the difficulties & highs of setting up a winery from scratch while having a family. They have the oldest syrah vines in NZ & we were impressed with their wines.
We then went to TRINITY HILL, which has been a favourite for a long time. The first presentation was not quite up to their normal standard, but the second was very good. Previously, we have been spoiled by having an enthused John Hancock leaping up & down & excitedly promoting his wines. The usual biking wine enthusiasts were there at the same time as we were. We never understand how they get back home safely after a day of imbibing!
If you love wine, as said in a previous post, the winery you must visit, is DE LA TERRE, Hawke’s Bay’s only earth-brick winery & cellar door.
Tony Prichard was the original Chief Wine-maker at Church Road & while there, worked with consultants from Domaine Cordier in Bordeaux. He is Mr Everything: he grows grapes, picks, processes, bottles & labels & imparts his immense knowledge & passion enthusiastically when you visit. His wife, Kaye, produces delectable food for your enjoyment!
“Our hand-crafted approach goes right through the winemaking process – from hand-picking all the fruit, through gentle handling at the winery using traditional winemaking techniques. Nothing is rushed and with the emphasis on minimal handling, every effort is made to retain the integrity and concentration of the fruit and our unique terroir. The wines are a fusion of high-tech winemaking knowledge with traditional hands-on winemaking methods in the cellar.”
The wines range from those you will have tasted before to the more unusual such as Tannat (good for yuur heart), Barbera & Noble Viognier.
Robyn Magowan, a tour participant stated:”De la terre was amazing in what they have achieved. Had a point of difference with their earthy approach and utter understanding of wine making. Lovely lunch as well.”
And Lorraine Weenink: "In regards to the beautiful Blanc de Blanc that we had and the way he opened it with a scary looking sabre lol Plus the lunch was excellent & how he built the winery with earth bricks & how passionate & interesting he was about wine."
MOANA PARK was a winery that seemed to cater to the locals as a drop in for a glass (of wine or beer) with the kids. We felt a bit sorry for the earnest & well-meaning young presenter as we were all tired at the end of a long day & no-one enthused about the wines the wines.

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