Gimblett Gravels, a distinguished wine-growing area in Hawke's Bay, New Zealand, is unmistakeably steeped in viticultural prestige. Set upon the gravelly soil left by an ancient riverbed, Gimblett Gravels comprises around 800 hectares of premium wine country, basking in a sun-drenched, temperate climate that facilitates the remarkable fruition of wine grapes.
This sunlit expanse of vines is especially accredited for its production of exceptional red wines; an accomplishment attributed to the terroir’s unique warm and free-draining qualities, which nurtures the fruits through ripening seasons. Predominantly, the Bordeaux varietals like Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Malbec thrive here, yet it's the Syrah that has truly catapulted Gimblett Gravels into the international limelight for its peppery, vibrant, yet richly nuanced manifestation in this specific microclimate.
Gimblett Gravels’ soil composition also bears significance in its narrative. The gravelly ground, composed largely of angular greywacke pebbles mixed with silt and sand, has excellent heat retention, a characteristic that aids maturation and the consequent development of robust, complex flavours in the grapes.
The winegrowers of Gimblett Gravels are meticulous in their craft, patiently nurturing their vines to produce fruit of the highest quality. It's no surprise that the wines originating from this area are celebrated for their intensity, structure, and sheer character; an impressive testament to the symbiotic relationship between the terroir and the vintner.
It's entirely fitting that this unique terroir was only recently revealed, having been unveiled beneath the drifted sand and silt merely three decades ago. This shines a poetic light on the Gimblett Gravels as a late, but undisputed treasure amongst the world's vineyards, a hidden gem unveiled amidst the broader richness of New Zealand's wine country; a testament to the fact that exceptional wine truly is a product of time, place, and patient craftsmanship.
Buy Gimblett Gravels wine below.