Te Awanga Estate
Te Awanga, with its sea views and breezes, coastal loams and salty air, is the main line for us. The vineyards, the people, the winemaking, the tinkering, the thinking, the planning and dreaming – these moving parts all eventually arrive at the one point – Te Awanga. It’s where it all comes together.
Our Sauvignon Blanc comes from vines planted in the late 1990’s at Mangatahi in Hawks Bay. The vineyard is situated on the ancient alluvial shingle terraces high above the Ngaruroro River. As one of the most elevated vineyards in Hawke’s Bay its North facing slopes enjoy long and hot summer days but chill off overnight making this the perfect place for Sauvignon Blanc.
The origin of the Māori word, Te Awanga, is uncertain. Maybe the south-west wind, a depression on a hillside or a species of white-streaked flax that grew in the area.
The Te Awanga Estate story starts here. On the East Coast of the North Island of New Zealand, Te Awanga is our home ground and where it all comes together. Nestled in a small seaside settlement, cooled by salty breezes, warmed gently by sunshine and clear skies, and protected by mountain ranges far to the west.
Headed by international award-winning winemaker, Rod McDonald, our Cellar Door in Te Awanga is home to our range of wines: Wildsong, Mister, Trademark, Quarter Acre and One Off. Producing a variety of wine styles to showcase the breadth of the terroir found within the Hawke’s Bay wine growing region. Hawke’s Bay was recently named as the 12th member of the prestigious Great Wine Capitals of The World network, joining an elite group that already encompasses the likes of the vineyard regions Mendoza, Napa Valley and Bordeaux.
We’ve made Wildsong wines with an eye on evolving wine styles but mostly with an ambition to make honest wines that taste like where they come from while working hard to make sure we farm the right way. These wines are up-front tasty, yet they’re not simple. Layered, interesting, balanced and backed by winemaking street-cred.
- Appellation: Hawke's Bay / Marlborough / Nelson / Wairarapa
- Owner: Rod McDonald
- Winemaker: Rod McDonald + Hayden Penny
- Varieties Grown: Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Merlot, Viognier
- Hectares/Age of Vines: Coming soon
- Altitude/Soil: This varied landscape provides an environment in which to grow a number of varieties for an array of wine styles
- Farming Methods: Sustainable and mostly organic
Wines
Red
Rose
White
Sparkling
Sweet
Fortified
Spirits
Cider