Harvest Estate

Harvest Estate partners with NZ Art Show   April 14, 2015

Great news!  Harvest Estate has signed on as a Platinum Partner of the NZ Art Show. Our wines will be exclusively available at the Gala launch of this longstanding, iconic Wellington event to be held on June 18, 2015.

Sitting at the edge of the world, far from the bustle of metropolitan civilisation, lies the remote wine village of Martinborough.

From here, the Harvest Estate team is undertaking a painstaking journey to craft the ultimate expressions of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Our humble name belies our determination and passion to succeed.

With only ancient alluvial river gravels, old vines, sheer bloody-mindedness and that kiwi ethic of respecting tradition whilst embracing innovation, this quest remains unfulfilled. In the village, we produce tiny quantities of Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Chardonnay, Pinot Rose, Pinot Noir and Syrah.

Our fine wines are the markers of this relentless pursuit for perfection in our viticulture and vinification.

We farm six varietals across 29 acres of vineyards in the Martinborough Terrace Appellation, nestled between the Huangarua River and the road that bares the same name.

Our St. Martin Vineyard on Huangarua Road comprises 18 year old Chardonnay vines of two clones: Dijon 95 (Meursault) and Mendoza – highly valued by New Zealand winemakers.

The substantial Omarere Road Vineyard was progressively planted out during ’92 and ’95 with further plantings in ’05/06. Located here is our prized Gewürztraminer selection of old vine Alsace & German clones. We also farm Pinot Noir (clones: Pommard, 10/5 and Abel) and a younger block of 8 year old Pinot Gris (Barrie) vines.

Planting in the 5.7ha Ponatahi Road Vineyard bordering the Huangarua River began in 1994. The vineyard produces Pinot Noir (clones: Pommard, 10/5 and 667), Riesling (clones 239 & 198) and Sauvignon Blanc from vines now over 24 years old.

Founder and winemaker, Michael Gregg heads the Harvest Estate team. Growing up in Marlborough in the eighties instilled in him a passion for small-scale handcrafted winemaking that is less apparent now in that region. Being in Martinborough allows Michael to focus on quality and oversee every aspect of the journey from vineyard to bottle.

With a long history in Martinborough, Vineyard Manager, Glenn Smith has toiled in the surrounding vineyards in all weather for over 15 years. Glenn and his vineyard team care for all three Harvest Estate vineyards, directing their energy into producing ripe, clean fruit and ensuing the vineyards are always in optimal condition.

Through the pioneering efforts of our astute forebears who recognised the Burgundian qualities of the local climate and soils, we are proudly part of the Martinborough Terrace Appellation in the lower North Island of New Zealand.

Here we grow and produce fine wines from Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Gris, Riesling and Sauvignon Blanc. Occasionally, we locally source other varietals (such as Syrah) to turn our minds – and our hands – to.

Our three vineyards comprise gnarly old vines that we refuse to irrigate, forcing their roots deeper into the ancient river gravels to pull up vital nutrients. The 13 acre Omarere Road vineyard comprises Gewürztraminer, Pinot Gris & Pinot Noir. The 14 acre Ponatahi Road Vineyard has Pinot Noir, Riesling and 24 year old Sauvignon Blanc vines. The jewel in the crown is our St. Martin Vineyard on Huangarua Road with its majestic 18 year old Chardonnay vines and vineyard cottage.