Esk Valley Estate is one of Hawkes Bays finest boutique wineries. Recognised for its unique, hand-crafted wine styles, it is one of the few wineries that still hand-plunge red wines in the traditional manner to create a softer and more elegant style.
The winery, cellar shop and famed terraced vineyard are nestled in a small picturesque valley in Hawkes Bay, one of New Zealand's premium wine regions. This sunny, sheltered valley overlooks the South Pacific Ocean and provides the perfect microclimate for ripening grapes.
History
The winery was first established by Robert Bird in 1933. Later new cellars, including open-topped concrete fermentation vats, were built. The concrete fermentation vats, perfect for hand-plunging wines, are still used by Gordon Russell and his winemaking team.
Winemaking
Esk Valley Estate sources grapes exclusively from Hawkes Bay. Renowned for boutique winemaking techniques such as hand-plunging and small batch fermentation, Esk Valley Estates hand-made wines have a unique richness and depth of flavour.
Winemaker
Winemaker Gordon Russell has been with Esk Valley Estate since 1993. Gordon firmly places emphasis on quality rather than quantity resulting in wines of character and complexity. Gordon's exacting and yet rather quirky, fun character helps give Esk Valley wines their uniqueness. With his winning ways and wines, Gordon makes his winemaking an art form.
Wines
Three ranges of wine are hand-crafted under the Esk Valley Label:
Vineyard Selection - Classic 'food friendly' wines (previously known as Esk Valley Black Label range)
Gimblett Gravels Merlot/Cabernet Sauvignon/Malbec
Hawkes Bay Chardonnay
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
Marlborough Riesling
Marlborough Pinot Noir
Hawkes Bay Chenin Blanc (Cellar Door only)
Hawkes Bay Pinot Gris
Hawkes Bay Verdelho
Hawkes Bay Rose
Winemakers Wines - From top-quality vineyards when vintage conditions are ideal (previously known as Esk Valley Reserve range)
Gimblett Gravels Merlot/Malbec/Cabernet
Hawkes Bay Chardonnay
Gimblett Gravels Syrah
The Terraces
The ultimate red - if you can, you should. In outstanding vintage years, Esk Valley Estate produces 'The Terraces'. Grapes for this extraordinary wine are sourced from the terraced vineyard at Esk Valley Estate, Malbec/Merlot/Cabernet Franc. 'The Terraces' is rated as one of New Zealand's finest red wines and is included as a "super classic" in Michael Cooper's 2002 Buyers' Guide.
Opening Hours
Open 10am to 5pm, 7 days
Closed Sundays June, July, August & September 2009
Winery Tours by appointment