Hawke's Bay
Hawke's Bay is New Zealand's oldest and warmest region and the home of its best red wines — Bordeaux-style blends, increasingly fine Syrah — from the famous free-draining Gimblett Gravels.
Fast facts
At a glance
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Climate | Warm, dry, sunny (by NZ standards) |
| Geography | East-coast North Island plains and low hills |
| Key appellations | Hawke's Bay GI · Gimblett Gravels · Bridge Pa · Esk Valley |
| Main grapes | Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay |
| Famous for | Syrah, Gimblett Gravels, Bordeaux blends, Art Deco Napier |
Grapes
Signature grapes of Hawke's Bay
The varieties that define this region's wines.
Syrah / Shiraz
Syrah (known as Shiraz in Australia) is one of the world's great black grapes, capable of extraordinary power …
Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet Sauvignon is the world's most famous red grape, the backbone of Bordeaux's great blended wines and th…
Merlot
Merlot is France's most planted red grape and the plush partner to Cabernet in Bordeaux blends, especially on …
Chardonnay
Chardonnay is the world's most planted white grape and a remarkable blank canvas for terroir and winemaking. F…
Nearby
Related regions
Explore neighbouring wine areas.
Wine travel
Visiting Hawke's Bay
Napier's Art Deco architecture, the wineries of the Gimblett Gravels and coastal scenery make this a rewarding stop.
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