As New Zealand’s most diverse winegrowing region and home to the oldest winery, Hawke’s Bay has long attracted innovative and talented winemakers who have contributed to the region’s rich wine story. From one of New Zealand’s founding fathers to the country’s inaugural Young Winemaker of the Year, and the dozens in between who have added to the incredible legacy of New Zealand’s Great Wine Capital.
Father of New Zealand Red Wine
Much of the Hawke’s Bay’s wine story begins with Tom McDonald, considered the father of New Zealand red wine and the founder of McDonald Wines, now known as Church Road Winery. Starting his career at the age of just 14, Tom McDonald was leasing an entire vineyard and running his own business by 19. By 29, Tom owned the vineyard where he developed New Zealand’s first commercial plantings of Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay. By the 1960s, Tom’s wines had become very collectable and were widely credited for pioneering the beginnings of a quality renaissance in New Zealand viticulture.
Gimblett Gravels
By the 1980s Hawke’s Bay wineries were looking to expand, and a handful of forward-thinking winemakers and viticulturalists had identified a section of barren, gravelly farmland as providing perfect growing conditions for vines. However, this land was earmarked to be turned into a quarry. What ensued was a protracted legal battle to have the land zoned for viticulture. Success came in 1992 and the Gimblett Gravel Winegrowing District was established. Steve Smith, MW, was the Founding Chairman of the Gimblett Gravels Winegrowers Association, which was responsible for developing the Gimblett Gravels Appellation. Renowned internationally for his contributions to the wine industry, Steve Smith was also instrumental in establishing Craggy Range Winery, one of Hawke’s Bay’s most award-winning wineries, and becoming the first Master of Wine from a viticulture background, back in 1996. He was also named by Decanter Magazine as one of the ’50 Most Influential People for the Next Millennium’. Nowadays, Steve can be found at his own winery, Smith & Sheth in Havelock North, Hawke’s Bay. This stunning cellar door is home to Smith & Sheth wines, a beautiful urban wine bar and the incredible Heretaunga Wine Studio tasting experience.
NZ Young Winemaker of the Year
Hawke’s Bay’s legacy continues to attract innovative winemakers to the region, and Lauren Swift, of Swift Wines is one such winemaker. Crowned the inaugural ‘NZ Young Winemaker of the Year’ at just 25, Lauren has spent the majority of her life obsessing over grapes in their various forms. Growing up on an orchard in Marlborough, her first job was learning the fundamentals of grape growing on a neighbouring vineyard.
Lauren has a distinct winemaking philosophy of “don’t add if you don’t have to”. She is passionate about creating mindfully grown and made wines with minimal interventions. For Lauren, it is about filtering for maximum varietal expression. Now in her early 30s, Lauren juggles her own wine brand with family life. She remains forward-thinking, choosing experimental varieties over the tried and true, allowing creativity to shine and plotting a path for the future of Hawke’s Bay wines.
Photo: Brett Phibbs / PhibbsVisuals