Vineyards

Hawke's Bay

Hawke’s Bay contributes a substantial amount of the fruit used for many Babich wines, including the iconic Irongate range and The Patriarch.

The Hawke’s Bay region is blessed with a superb climate for viticulture – sufficiently cool to ripen grapes slowly, yet warm and sunny enough to promote optimum fruit ripening.

It has a tradition of quality table winemaking which stretches back to the 19th century, its reputation evolving steadily as a source of deep-flavoured and slowly evolving Chardonnays, robust and tropical Sauvignon Blancs and stylish, scented Cabernet and Merlot-based reds, more recently adding Gewurztraminer, Viognier and Syrah.

Experienced Viticulturalist, Tony Purdie (Fernhill Holdings) manages all of Babich’s vineyards in the Hawke’s Bay region totaling 54 hectares (134 acres).

Their 16-hectare (40 acres) Fernhill Vineyard is planted in light sandy-loam soils, enjoying sheltered and warm conditions that are perfect for ripening grapes with elegant fruit flavours.
 

Gimblett Gravels District

The 38-hectare (94 acres) Gimblett Road Vineyard, planted in exceptionally free-draining shingle country, yields small crops of grapes which harbour rich, concentrated flavours.

In summer and autumn, the district is up to three degrees Celsius warmer during the day as compared with most other parts of the Hawke’s Bay. Evenings are also warmer because of thermal conductivity in the stony soil.

Babich Wines was among the pioneers of the Gimblett Gravels appellation, helping position this as a premium sub-region. In 1984 Babich was one of the first to produce wines from Gimblett Road and has made them ever since, the most notable selling under the Irongate brand. The 1985 Irongate Chardonnay created an international stir, with critical praise from around the world.

The Gimblett Gravels designation has been fostered by Babich Wines and other winemakers, positioning it clearly as one of the country’s premium production areas.