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Vineyards

Stonecroft has two vineyards in the Gimblett Gravels Wine Growing District. The vineyards are around 3km apart. One of the vineyards is on Mere Road, west of Hastings and the other is at the base of Roy’s Hill. In total approximately 7 ha are planted with Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Zinfandel, Gewürztraminer, Chardonnay and Viognier. Both 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. Both vineyards are certified organic.

Mere Road Vineyard

This is the original vineyard. We have approximately 3.5 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. Our oldest Chardonnay vines (Mendoza clone) are also planted 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.