Hawkes Bays’ claim to being Wine Country is well grounded, with over 70 vineyards scattered throughout the region, along with the associated restaurants and hospitality industries.
Hawke’s Bay’s diverse climate and terrain - long warm summers and mild winters, typical of a temperate climate - provides ideal growing conditions for grapes. The region is now established on the world stage, and recognised for award winning wines. Viticulture and wine production are increasingly important to the regional economy, both from a straight-out manufacturing perspective, but also with important tourism and lifestyle spin-offs.
The recent rise in the popularity of the wine industry has been hand in hand with the surge in visitor numbers experienced by Hawkes Bay over the past five years.
Grape growing is not confined to one area of Hawkes Bay and each specific area or sub-region offers a different variety and flavour. Wine growing areas within the region include Taradale, Esk Valley (north of Napier), Gimblett Gravels (on the outskirts of Hastings), Havelock North, behind Te Mata Peak Te Awanga and Central Hawkes Bay . In particular, the Gimblett Gravels area constitutes more than 30 wineries and grape growers and is unique for its gravelly soils and climate that is up to three degrees celcius warmer than the rest of the region. These conditions are perfect for Bordeaux type red wines and Syrah, where some of the Hawkes Bay wines have been judged up with the best in the world.
The EIT Centre of Viticulture has modern laboratories and teaching facilities, a purpose built teaching winery, dedicated and professional staff and EIT is situated minutes from some of New Zealand's premier vineyards and wineries. They offer a wide range of programmes in viticulture and wine science.
Hawkes Bay Winegrowers is a membership organisation set up to represent all wine growers and producers in the region.
Gimblett Gravels Winegrowers Association is an association involved with this distinct wine growing area, which is best known for it’s world acclaimed red wines.
