Hawke’s Bay makes it three fantastic vintages in a row
As harvest came to a close for another vintage in early April 2021, viticulturists and winemakers alike, celebrated a third consecutive historic season as mother nature adorned Hawke’s Bay with near perfect growing conditions.
“A pretty amazing run with three and arguably four fantastic but different vintages. The 2021 wines are showing amazing texture and concentration, with balance from the natural acidities. It bodes well for those enthusiasts that like to cellar wines,” commented Matt Kirby, Chief Winemaker at Clearview Estate.
Hawke’s Bay total average yields were only marginally down. Despite enduring a cool spell in November, Hawke’s Bay’s terroir diversity with over 25 different soil types and many meso-climates, along with around 40 varietals grown, helped even out yields somewhat.
“The up-side of the cool snap has meant that berries have been smaller and bunches looser leading to excellent quality,” Rod McDonald of Te Awanga Estate says. The balance of the season was warm and dry. Tony Bish added that “not an excessively hot summer has led to intense flavours and excellent sugar/acid balance.” Once vintage came around, which was another early one in Hawke’s Bay, the weather remained settled and dry allowing winemakers and viticulturists to make planned picking decisions and bring in pristine fruit to the expectant wineries.
The other potential challenge for winegrowers this season was a shortage of labour as New Zealand’s borders remain closed-a source of seasonal labour boost for most regions. Thankfully for the Hawke’s Bay wine industry this did not impact as much as initially feared due to the good run of weather allowing for planned picking, and the fabulous wider Hawke’s Bay community stepping in to help.
There were ‘pick parties’, community charity drives, retiree picking crews, not to mention neighbours, family and local wine lovers who all played valuable roles in bringing in this year’s grapes.
Te Mata Estate has a long-standing relationship with local retirees in order to handpick their grapes and commented “we love working with our loyal local pickers who are part of the Te Mata family. Not only do they help us bring in our best fruit, it is always with enlightening conversation and cheer.”
“We harvested our own vineyard utilising an amazing group of family and friends who heeded to call the secateurs and came in over five various picking days, including Easter weekend. We’re extremely thankful to the whole, varied team,” Lorraine Leheny of Bilancia says.
“Hawke’s Bay is a fantastic part of New Zealand, and seeing how our community has come together makes me even prouder to be part of this special wine region,” Chair of Hawke’s Bay Winegrowers Sally Duncan commented. She concluded by highlighting that “Hawke’s Bay cements its reputation as one of the world’s great wine regions, with an ability to consistently produce premium wines with great cellaring potential.”