the site
Hanmer Springs sits on the geologically active Hope fault, resulting in stunning scenery and natural hot springs. The Hanmer Springs Wines site is a 12 hectare block, situated on the sunny, north-facing slopes of Medway Road, overlooking the Hanmer township.
Hanmer Springs Wines is one of the highest altitude vineyards in New Zealand at 360m (1181 feet). These extreme sites on the edge can often give rise to special wines that have a clean alpine freshness, distinct to their terroir.
Weather over the growing season (October-April) runs about two weeks later than the closest recognised wine growing region of Waipara. We have around 1000-1300 growing degree days and 200-600mm of rainfall a year. Much like any vineyard in the South Island and lower North Island of New Zealand, our property is at risk of spring frosts. However, this risk is mitigated due to the benefits of a naturally occurring katabatic wind caused by the slopes behind and the river in front.
Most of the vineyard has a gentle slope that runs South-North, but there are areas of up to a 30-degree slope that makes work on the property challenging. A special (Ventrac) tractor from America, that can cope with steeper terrain, is used to carry out vineyard work.
Disease and pest pressure on the vines is minimal given the cold winters when the vines go dormant and also due to the remoteness of the site and lack of nearby vineyards that can spread disease. Sheep are released to the vineyard for winter grass control and a troop of chickens free range around the vineyard digging up and eating the grass grub that becomes the devastating bronze beetle. Machinery employed on the vineyard is small and light ensuring minimal impact on the soil. In 2018 the vineyard was seeded with 1000 Anecic earthworms which are deep burrowing earthworms that are mostly absent from the South Island. These earthworms are a natural cultivator of the soil due to their burrowing nature.
Most of the vineyard work is done by hand. Labour is brought in when required at certain pinch points, or is done with the generous assistance of friends and family. The vineyard was certified fully organic 1 March 2020.
In the winter of 2015 approximately two hectares of land was cleared with an initial 3000 vines planted in November 2015. A further 4000 plants were added in October 2016. The varieties we currently grow are Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Riesling, Pinot Gris and Grüner Veltliner.
Soil on the site is mostly silty loam and clay, with areas of more stony clay. The Chardonnay and Pinot Noir love clay and so are planted on the best parts of the vineyard, whereas the other varieties are grown in the harder stony soil to coax out the best in their flavour.
