Vineyards

Stonecroft has three vineyards in the Gimblett Gravels Wine Growing District. The vineyards are located within a 3km zone. Two of the vineyards are on Mere Road, west of Hastings and the third is at the base of Roy’s Hill. In total approximately 10 ha are planted with Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Zinfandel, Gewürztraminer, Chardonnay and Viognier. All three vineyards are hot and dry, with peak summer temperatures consistently between 35˚C and 40˚C. Soils (known as the Omahu Gravels) are very stony and free draining.

We take great care to ensure the grapes harvested from our vineyards are of a high quality. Pruning, picking and most of the canopy management is carried out by hand. As we are organic, a lot of attention is paid to canopy management with de-budding, leaf picking and green harvesting. Yields are kept very low to ensure top quality fruit and good ripeness levels; typically around 2kg per vine. All three of the vineyards are certified organic.

Mere Road Vineyard

This is the original vineyard. We have approximately 3 ha of vines at this vineyard, including our oldest Syrah vines. These are the oldest Syrah vines in New Zealand (planted in 1984). Syrah from this vineyard contributes aromatics and elegance to the wines. As well as Syrah, we have our oldest Chardonnay vines (Mendoza clone) at this vineyard.

Roy’s Hill Vineyard

Temperatures are marginally higher at this vineyard which lies in a warm, sheltered, north-facing bowl at the foot of Roy’s Hill. There are approximately 3.5 ha of vines planted at this vineyard. It is predominantly Syrah with smaller plantings of Chardonnay, Gewürztraminer, Viognier, Merlot and Zinfandel. Grapes from the Roy’s Hill Vineyard contribute denser, more intense flavours.

Fernhill Vineyard

This vineyard was purchased in July 2013 (it was previously the Mills Reef Trust Vineyard). It is a closely planted vineyard with a low cordon. The vines are coming into their prime, with approximately 3.6 ha of Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon. We are making a 100% Cab Sauv from this vineyard (both the 2015 and 2016 vintages of that wine were selected for the Gimblett Gravels Annual Vintage Selection).