| Region of production: | Hawke’s Bay GI |
| Winery Location: | Havelock North, Hawke’s Bay |
| Year Established: | 1896 |
Vineyard Holdings
180 ha
- Havelock Hills Vineyards (16 ha): Hawke’s Bay GI. Five sites on north-facing slopes. First planted in 1892.
- Bridge Pa Triangle (30 ha): Hawke’s Bay GI. Consists of Bullnose Vineyard, planted in 1990, and Isosceles Vineyard, planted in 2000.
- Woodthorpe Terraces (130 ha): Hawke’s Bay GI. First planted in 1994.
Top Wines Produced & Inaugural Vintages
- Cape Crest Sauvignon Blanc (Hawke’s Bay GI): Sauvignon Blanc with small percentages of Sémillon and Sauvignon Gris. Fermented and aged in a combination of new and old French barrels. Inaugural vintage 1984.
- Elston Chardonnay (Hawke’s Bay GI): Inaugural vintage 1984. Fermented and aged in a combination of new and old French barrels for 11 months. Inaugural vintage 1984.
- Zara Viognier (Hawke’s Bay GI): Inaugural vintage 1995.
- Bullnose Syrah (Hawke’s Bay GI): Destemmed. Aged in a combination of new and old French barrels for 15 months. Inaugural vintage 1990.
- Awatea Cabernets/Merlot (Hawke’s Bay GI): Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc. Aged in a combination of new and old French barrels for 16 months. Inaugural vintage 1982.
- Coleraine (Hawke’s Bay GI): Approximately 75% Cabernet Sauvignon and 25% Merlot. Aged in primarily new French oak for 17 months. Inaugural vintage 1982.
Average Total Production
- 540,000 bottles
Summary
Te Mata was planted in 1892 by Bernard Chambers, who launched the winery four years later. The estate has operated continually since its inception and houses New Zealand’s oldest winery structures. The Chambers family acquired the land in 1854 from the Māori tribe Ngāti Kahungunu. Te Mata shares its name with the tallest local peak, which according to Māori legend is the sleeping face of Chief Rongokako, who ate a pathway from the hills to the ocean. After several changes in ownership, Te Mata was purchased by the Buck and Morris families, with John Buck helping bring the brand to global prominence. John’s sons, Nick, Jonathan, and Toby, run the winery today. Te Mata also produces the more entry-level Woodthorpe, while Coleraine is considered one of New Zealand’s most iconic Bordeaux blends.
Style & Vinification Techniques
Te Mata is certified through Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand. All wines are harvested from the estate vineyards. Te Mata crafts structured wines, with notable aging capacity. The top wines utilize both new and seasoned French oak barrels.
Producer Website: Te Mata Estate