The Vineyard

Vines have been grown in the Gibbston Valley, Central Otago since 1976. It was one of the areas in the region that Italian based viticulturist Romeo Braggato first predicted, in 1895, to be of great potential for the production of Pinot Noir. After experimentation in many different microclimates in the region with different grape varieties, it was found the alluvial soils of the Gibbston Valley together with the Pinot Noir grape produced some of New Zealand's finest Pinot Noir.

The original land use in the valley was extensive merino sheep farming and the Hawkshead Vineyard was once part of the large Waitiri Sheep Station. Waitiri Station had farmed the land since the early 1950's and saw the potential for Viticulture, spending years recording information on climate and soil from their farm. As the land in the Gibbston Valley was developed for viticulture Denis Marshall was fortunate to be able to obtain a most suitable block in 1995 which was to become the Hawkshead Vineyard. The pinot noir grapes are planted on gentle north facing slopes to maximise the full year round sun.

The Vines

The first block of 1.5ha was planted in the spring of 2001, and a further 1.5ha in 2002, making the area planted in pinot noir just 3.00ha. These blocks were some of the first in Gibbston growing on over 80% rootstock, being 3309, RPG, and 101/14. The vines are spaced 2.4 metres between the rows and 1.28 metres between plants, creating a plant density of 3255 vines per hectare. At this spacing we budget on 1.6 kg of fruit per vine.

The following clones are planted in the vineyard – Pinot Noir 5, 6, 114, 115, 667, and Able. The clonal material chosen was to provide an extra weight to Hawkshead Pinot Noir. Clone 5 (Pommard) has been used as the skeletal structure to the final blend, with Clone 115 as the muscle, and the Abel clone as the heartbeat that pulls the wine together.

In 2006 2ha of the lower terrace adjacent to SH6 was planted in Pinot Gris. We expect our first production from this block in 2009.