As the oldest wine-growing region in New Zealand, Hawke’s Bay boasts a mix of renowned international wine brands as well as innovative, independent winemakers, who transform small parcels of grapes into unique interpretations of their turangawaewae (the land where they stand).
The region’s twin cities – Hastings and Napier – are as vibrant as they are different. Napier, the Art Deco Capital of the World, glistens on the coast, while only 20 minutes inland, Hastings is the historic and artistic heart of Hawke’s Bay, where an eclectic array of artisans embrace the cultural diversity of New Zealand.
Hawke’s Bay is home to the widest range of tertiary viticulture and wine qualifications in the country and is a widely recognised farming, agriculture and horticulture powerhouse, leading production for many of the country’s fruit and produce production and exports.
With 2320 annual sunshine hours, moderate rainfall, sheltering inland ranges and a warm maritime climate with a long growing season, the region is an ideal location for creating grapes of exceptional quality. Hawke's Bay has more than 4000 hectares of grapevines and is best known for Merlot/Cabernet blends, Syrah and Chardonnay.
In 2023, following the devastating Cyclone Gabrielle, Hawke’s Bay Winegrower’s were delighted with the news that our region has been named the 12th Great Wine Capital.
The accolade recognises Hawke’s Bay as one of the great wine regions of the world and a leading destination for wine tourism that sets it alongside eleven other prestigious wine regions such as Bordeaux (France), Napa Valley (USA), Bilbao (Spain) and Adelaide (Australia)
Hawke's Bay
Pask vineyards and winery are located in the province of Hawke's Bay, on the east coast of the North Island, one of the hottest and sunniest areas of New Zealand. With 2320 annual sunshine hours, moderate rainfall, sheltering inland ranges and a warm maritime climate with a long growing season, the region is an ideal location for creating grapes of exceptional quality.
Hawke's Bay has more than 4000 hectares of grapevines and is best known for Merlot/Cabernet blends, Syrah and Chardonnay.
The Gimblett Gravels
Our 60 hectares of vineyards are located on Gimblett Road, where we planted the first vines of what is now the world-famous Gimblett Gravels Winegrowing District. Gimblett Gravels is a unique area of land, comprising alluvial deposits exposed when the Ngaruroro River flooded and established a new path 100 years ago. The soil is low in nutrients and laden with stones, gravel and silt. It is this quality, coupled with the area's warmth, that makes it a perfect spot for viticultural and an integral component of our winegrowing story.
Daytime temperatures in our vineyards can be up to 3 degrees warmer during the day in summer and autumn compared with most other areas in Hawke's Bay, while thermal conductivity in the stones contributes to warmer evenings. With the vineyard sheltered from the prevailing winds by the landmark Roy's Hill, hot daytime temperatures coupled with the warming effects of the stony soil produce grapes of intense flavour.
Merlot has an excellent natural aptitude to our vineyard microclimate and is our most widely planted variety. It is supported by significant plantings of Chardonnay, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon. Select plantings of Malbec, Pinot Gris and Viognier are also in place.