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| Named for a rare grasshopper Sigaus childi, found only at Central Otago within the Earnscleugh gold mine tailings, just across the road from Grasshopper Rock vineyard. The site is fortuitously harsh and sufficiently challenging to make the vines work their hardest. Grasshopper Rock» |
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| Outstanding Langtons Classification. The locals around the Lovedale property say that the sandy soils are so poor, that even the rabbits have to bring a tucker box just to survive! The lean and mean terroir is elemental to the long lived, fine boned style. Mount Pleasant» |
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| Amherst is a town rich with colourful history and local folklore, site of the first official gold find in 1851, it launched a mining rush which expanded throughout central Victoria. The district's long association with viticulture is also prolific and colourful. Amherst» |
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| Whole bunches and oak barrel ferments, the costly extravagance of three years tirage on sedimentery yeast lees, each bottle individually riddled by hand, disgorged and sent to cellar for the ultimate indulgence of extra age before release, Pamela is the zenith of the sparkling winemaker's art. Her luxurious effervescence exudes brioche, tarte tatin and French boulangere, her creamy textural mousse unravelling ribbons of rich yeasty autolysis, crème caramel and baked fruits. Wicks» |
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| Elizabeth is a classic Hunter Valley white which has established itself as one of Australia's benchmark Semillon. Named in commemoration of the first ever visit to Australia by a reigning monarch in 1954, Elizabeth has claimed over fifty trophies and multi gold throughout it's long and illustrious history. Mount Pleasant» |
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| A Shiraz of power and elegance, Heathcote Estate claimed a significant gold medal at the prestigious London International. Inspired by the amazing depth and character of Terra Rosa Shiraz, the Bialkower and Kirby families determined the most idyllic location to propogate vines for an ultra premium Shiraz to rival Australia's finest. Heathcote Estate» |
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| Considered an undistinguished vintage, it won a trophy, five Gold, four Silver and six Bronze medals between 1974 and 1982.. . Penfolds» |
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| Crafted by a rising star of the Padthaway region, recipients South Australian Cabernet Of Year Trophy and runner-up South Australian Wine Of Year. Their commitment has not gone unnoticed by the global industry press, Decanter has identified Browns as one of the Hottest Wineries to Watch. Browns of Padthaway» |
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| One of the earliest commercial winemaking operations ever established in Victoria. Heathcote Winery can also boast some of the oldest Australian plantings of Viognier. Heathcote Winery» |
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| It was the great Cabernet wines of Bordeaux which inspired Bill Taylor to diversify from imports and retail into the highly fraught pursuit of grape growing. An ardent enthusiast of Chateau Mouton Rothschild, Taylor had a keen enough palate and nose to determine that the most auspicious lands for Cabernet Sauvignon were amongst the idyllic rolling pastorals of Valley Clare. Taylors» |
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| Of particular importance to Shadowfax are the very close relationships with a select group of growers who provide harvests of the most intensely flavoured fruit. A prolific trophy winner, Shadowfax are a refreshing new wave, vigorously fruit driven, livelier than her Victorian siblings, characterised by slatey, flavoursome acidity, a touch of lees complexity and judicious dryness. Shadowfax» |
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| Campbell's Topaque is the most wickedly intense, lusciously rich elixir, laden with candied peel flavours, honeycombed fruit and amber complexities. Painstakingly crafted to the old world Solera system, a bespoke tradition of fractional blending and elevage, achieving the most indulgent concentration of flavour through a laborious racking of barrels as the angels take their share. Campbells» |
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Mission Estate
About Mission Estate - the Winery
Mission Estate
Mission Estate are steeped in history and an essential part of colonial New Zealand culture, their winemaking however is very new world, an enduring bond between contemporary excellence and sacred traditions
Established 1851 by the French Marist religious order, Mission Estate are New Zealand's oldest winemaking concern under continuous management. A Mission of French clergy sailed to New Zealand in 1838 with little more than their faith and a few vines. The Society of Mary was founded near Lyon in France. With the blessing of the Pope, a group travelled to the Pacific, arriving in New Zealand in 1838. Besides being a teaching order, the Fathers established a mission station near the Ngaruroro River between Napier and Hastings at Pakowhai. They followed the tradition of running a balanced farm property, fruit trees, cattle, and a vineyard.
In 1858, the missionaries moved to land they had purchased at Meeanee and a major community was established. A cottage for living quarters was transported from Pakowhai and later a Church, school and study halls were built. Vines were planted to produce both sacramental and table wine for their wine-drinking tradition. The first record of a commercial sale dates back to 1870 when a parcel of mostly dry reds was sold. The Cellar Master at the time was Brother Cyprian Huchet, who retained this position until 1899 and is considered the pioneering winemaker of New Zealand.
Mission Estate own and operate three vineyard sites within Hawke's Bay, each of which has its unique characteristics that are suited to different grape varieties and resulting wine styles. Greenmeadows at Taradale, the Mere and Gimblett Road vineyards on the eminant Gimblett Gravels.
Mission Estate retain a magnificent 100 hectare vineyard in the Awatere Valley of Marlborough. Grapes are also sourced from Hawkes Bay's finest growers. Moteo Pa and Ohiti Road, Middle Road and Ngatarawa Triangle. The inputs of the viticultural team optimise each vineyard's performance to produce better wine.
Sustainable winegrowing is an environmental management system employed to ensure the protection of land and environment. It is Mission Estate's belief that protecting and managing vineyards and environment in a sustainable way is an inseparable part of viticulture, to ensure longevity of healthy fruit production. In addition, contract growers must also manage their sites sustainably to supply Mission Estate. Precision Viticulture identifies the variation in the vineyards (soil and vine growth) using different sensors that are linked to GPS. This enables the Mission Estate team to produce maps of which highlight areas of significant difference. These differences impact on fruit attributes such as ripeness, yield and overall quality. As a result, this makes it possible to selectively harvest areas of the vineyard so that each parcel ripens to the targeted requirement.
Mission Estate is New Zealand's oldest winery and the birthplace of New Zealand wine. While their wines are crafted using the latest in technology, they also employ many traditional winemaking techniques handed down from their early French winemaking pioneers. Mission Estate has consistently produced wine sustainably, the philosophy is to minimise additions so that their wines show true regional and varietal expression.
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