Te Awa
Hawkes Bay | New Zealand
Te Awa Winery is a special place. The full Maori
name given to the site is Te Awa o te atua which means 'River of
God', a reference to the mysterious subterranean streams over which
it is sited and from which the wines draw their subtle
characteristics. The quality comes from a deep understanding of the
rich diversity of the soils that permeate this small area. Walking
the 50 hectare vineyard at Te Awa Winery you will see the vines
planted in free draining alluvial soils, typical of the area. These
are the trails of the old Ngaruroro River which meandered through
the region until a huge flood changed its course in 1867. Farther
along Gimblett Road the soil is all stone and shingle with little
variation. At Te Awa however, the same stone and shingle profile is
interspersed with small patches of sand and silt left behind by the
swirling river all those years ago. Te Awa occupies a prime position
in the Gimblett Gravels Wine Growing District, one of the premium
Hawke’s Bay wine growing sites. Warm temperatures, low rainfall and
the permeability of the soils create an almost paradoxical blend of
consistency and complexity. The region has produced some of New
Zealand's most sought after Cabernet, Merlot, Syrah and Chardonnay.
office (206)
332-1995