by Professor Warren Moran, formerly of
the Geography Department at Auckland
University, local winemakers were pretty
much united in supporting the single,
regional GI of Hawke���s Bay. The rationale for
this was the small relative size of the industry
here and the lack of recognition of the region
internationally. Splitting it into sub-regions
would just dilute an already tenuous message.
So every wine coming out of here would carry
the stamp of ���Hawke���s Bay���. This doesn���t stop
the marketing of sub-regions, it just means
they would not be Government sanctioned
geographic areas. A prime example of this is
the newly created sub-regional group known
as the ���Bridge Pa Triangle Wine District���.
This is a collaboration between wineries and
growers, including Sileni Estates, within a
defined area at the south-western edge of the
Heretaunga Plains (that���s the flat bit between
the ocean and the foothills surrounding the
twin cities of Napier and Hastings), aimed at
promoting the exceptional quality of grapes
and wine from these gravelly, alluvial soils.
The group also includes associates who are
involved with food, accommodation and
activities such as bike hire and golf, because
the aim is not just to tell the world about the
wines, but also the benefits of visiting the
region.
���Due to the diversity of soils and
microclimates within Hawke���s Bay, we make
a great range of wines from the classic,
never go out of style varieties such as
Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Syrah, Pinot Noir,
Chardonnay, Pinot Gris and Semillon. From
the clay based coastal hills cooled by sea
breezes, to the gravel river terraces beyond
the plains, (and everything in between),
there are a multitude of sites to complement
the natural growth and flavour profile of
these grapes. This is what sets the region
apart from most others in New Zealand,
and is the reason that Sileni is based here ���
the great climate and soils giving rise to our
three pronged (that triangle thing again)
motto of ���good wine, good food, good
company���.���
www.sileni .co.nz
Recommended wines
Sileni Estate Selection 'Parkhill' Pinot
Gris 2012, $25
Redmetal Hawke's Bay Merlot /
Franc 2011, $19
Bridge Pa Reserve Syrah 2009. $40
www.h e rmagaz in e .co.n z | 105
