New Zealand

Hi Friends! By now you might know that our goal at Decanter Tasting Room is to explore the growing New World Wine Regions. We make it a point to explore a new region each month! This month, we decided to explore New Zealand. Have you been?

New Zealand has some REMARKABLE wine regions. From Hawke’s Bay, Wairarapa, Waipara Valley, Marlborough, down to Waitaki Valley. Mostly known for their Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir, New Zealand’s wine regions have a lot to offer.

Let’s explore a little!

Marlborough

Let’s start by looking at Marlborough, one of the most known wine regions of New Zealand. Located in the northeast of the South Island, Marlborough is known to be the largest wine region. It is known to have over 87 soil types, such as sandy loam and stony gravel. These soil types are important because they store water and nutrients. Sandy loam is a mixture of sand, silt, clay, and organic humus. This type of soil is more porous than typical clay soil due to having a higher sand content. This allows more drainage. This type of soil aids in producing more elegant wines with high aromatics such as minerality, citrus, and tropical fruit notes.

Martinborough

Another wine region that we are featuring is Martinborough. Martinborough is a town located on the North Island, in the South Wairarapa District of Wellington. The soil in this region is similar to Burgundy, France. They are definitely more known for Pinot Noirs! Having a combination of gravel, sands, clay, and limestone. This soil supports more vine roots to absorb nutrients, boosting acidity.

The climate in this region supports cooler nights, allowing the grapes to retain acidity as well, along with slow ripening.

Fun Fact! Martinborough was the first New Zealand wine region to define and begin protecting their viticultural boundaries.

Hawke’s Bay

Now let’s look at Hawke’s Bay, the oldest and second largest wine producing region in New Zealand. Hawke’s Bay is located on the east coast of the North Island, and has over 25 types of soils. From clay loam, limestone, sands, red metal, and free draining gravels. Hawke’s Bay produces full-bodied reds blends, elegant Syrah, and rich complex Chardonnays.

Fun Fact! Hawke’s Bay vines were first planted in 1851 by French Missionaries.

Kumeu

Kumeu is a sub-region of Auckland, located on the North Island. This region is known well for its Chardonnay, Syrah, Merlot, Pinotage, and Pinot Gris.

Kumeu is eight miles from the Tasman Sea, allowing for sea breezes to come from both coasts, cooling the vineyards. This extends the ripening.

Kumeu was established in 1940s by a Croatian family settled there.

The soil in Kumeu contains silt, clay, and loam. The predominant grape variety in Kumeu is Chardonnay. The wines from this region tend to have flavors of red fruits, flowers. They are structured and moderately acidic.

Summary of Soils in these regions –

New Zealand’s soils lack in having many nutrients. Soils are mostly clays, however there are pockets of fertile alluvial soil found in river basins or along river terrains.

Now here is some background on our featured wineries!

Jules Taylor Winery –

Jules Taylor Winery was established in Marlborough in 2001 by Jules and her husband George. First they had opened as a little side project, and five years later, their love and passion was enough for them both to quit their day jobs and give everything to their winery.

As a family owned business ourselves, we know the hard work necessary for your dream to thrive. When we tasted Jule’s Gruner Veltliner, we felt the passion in her wine making and it was a MUST to feature her in our monthly focus of New Zealand.

This Gruner Veltliner is described by Jules as the love child of Riesling and Pinot Gris. It is complex, creamy, nutty, with lemon notes and followed with BEAUTIFUL BRIGHT acidity.

If you have a chance, you should stop by our tasting room and grab a bottle or two for next time you make a spicy dish. It won’t disappoint!

Taonga –

Did you know Taonga means “Treasured gift” in Maori? I didn’t, however this is another wine that captures that meaning the moment it hits your palate. This sauvignon Blanc is made from grapes grown on estate vineyards in the Upper Wairau. This wine delivers the expectation of New Zealand wines. From aromas of citrus, tropical fruit, and stone fruit to a palate filled with juicy gooseberry, fresh cut grass, and crisp acidity.

The 2022 vintage of Taonga was awarded Gold at the Frankfurt International Trophy. The 2020 vintage won a Gold award at the Asia Wine Trophy. This wine was also farmed sustainably, by the guidelines of Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand.

We chose to feature Taonga this month because just like our friends, we love traditional New Zealand Sauvignon Blancs.

Villa Maria Winery –

We connected with Villa Maria Winery because just as we believe, they believe wine is a lifestyle. A passion. A place. The passion started in 1961, when George leased five acres of land and planted vines. From the beginning, George believed in quality over quantity. This belief helped shape his company and now they are one of New Zealand’s most admired wine brand.

We chose to bring in Villa Maria’s 2022 Sauvignon Blanc as it is a blend of Marlborough and Awatere Valley. Mostly giving notes from Marlborough, however Awatere Valley is a cooler climate giving accent aromas and grapefruit. This makes it different from Taonga, and allows us to show you contrast on New Zealand Sauvignon Blancs!

This Private Bin Sauvignon Blanc gives a crisp body complimented by jalapeno, lime, and lemongrass.

Kumeu River Winery–

This winery began in 1944 after the Brajkovich family arrived in Kumeu, a suburb of Auckland, from Dalmatia Croatia. Since then they have been recognized for producing world class wines, with their focus being on Chardonnay. The winery says that they have never seen such a great quality of Chardonnay as they have for this vintage. The 2021 year was a dryer and colder year than normal with more frost, but yielding a slower maturation and supported in developing excellent fruit aromas and flavors.

This vintage’s grapes were grown in Kumeu and Hawke’s Bay. With partial barrel fermentation, this wine shows richness with very little oak. Also being tank fermented, it also shows some vibrant fruit notes. With some lime, flinty, minerality on the nose, and a weighty mid palate complimented by peach, and crisp minerality.

This wine is recommended by the winery to be enjoyed with Seafood, Chicken dishes, Pasta and Risotto.

I can truly say this chardonnay is one of my favorites!

As we know, New Zealand is really known for their white wines. But, have you experienced their reds?!

Te Mata Estate –

Just like us, Te Mata is family owned and operated. Located in Hawke’s Bay, Te Mata Estate was established originally in 1854 as part of Te Mata Station. The vineyards were planted in 1892 on their north facing hillside above their homestead. They then renovated their stables and used them to ferment and mature their wines. Even today, the Te Mata Estate uses these same vineyards.

We are intrigued by Hawke’s Bay! Hawke’s Bay has a range of slopes and low humidity. The soils there are gravel, silt, and sand. There, they make exceptional wines. Such as their Gamay Noir!

When we tasted this Gamay Noir, there was nothing more to do than to add it to our featured wines. With aromas of wild strawberry, liquorice, and watermelon, and a palate of candied apple and vibrant red fruit notes.

I personally like to throw a little chill on this wine, and pair it with any of the small bites we serve at our tasting room.

Fun Fact! The Gamay Noir a Jus Blanc grape variety was introduced to New Zealand in 1995. It is known to be one of the best grape varietals of France’s Beaujolais region!

2022 Craggy Range, Pinot Noir, Martinborough –

This winery began on the focus to leave behind a legacy that could be handed down for generations to come. In 1993, Terry and his wife decided that they should build that legacy around wine, as they already had a love for fine wines. Terry and his wife searched from place to place, and finally their attention had been drawn to New Zealand. Terry decided then that he wanted a fresh slate, and purchased land that had not been planted on yet. He wanted to ensure the quality of the vines and wine production from the beginning.

There winery is settled in Gimblett Gravels Wine Growing district. This is an ancient river bed off of the Ngaruroro River in Hawke’s Bay. They also settled in Martinborough, on Te Muna Road. Now, ranging from having a higher climate of rocky clay soils and a lower climate of gravelly soils complimented by limestone. Two great regions = the ability to grow more unique, quality wines!

Their Pinot Noir hit all of the notes we enjoy in the Pinot Noir varietal. This Pinot Noir was picked from their Martinborough location. It offers aromas of dried lavender, and garigue. It shows an elegant palate with mushrooms, wild berries, red cherry, and silky tannins.

I’d say Terry truly created a legacy to be left behind! Terry also honored the original promise to his family and established a 1000 year trust, meaning that the winery can never be sold.

Fun Fact! This winery was acknowledged as the New World Winery of The Year in 2014 by Wine Enthusiast!

Craggy Range –

We couldn’t help but to add another wine from Craggy Range!

Picked from Gimblett Gravels Vineyard in Hawke’s Bay, here is Te Kahu Red Blend. Te Kahu means “The Cloak” in te reo Maori and refers to the mist that envelops the winery. Their legend says that the mist used to protect a Maori maiden from the sun as she visited her lover Te Mata. How sweet!

This wine is rich. With aromas of black olive, dried tobacco, and cassis. Dark fruits on the palate, with fine tannin structure and a long finish.

This wine is recommended to be paired with Braised Lamb, and I don’t doubt that this would be a magical pairing.

I don’t know about you, but I have learned a lot about this wine region and I can’t wait to continue sharing education, exceptional wine, and stories with you all.

Cheers!