Pinot Noir, Top BlockText Box: The dramatic hillside setting at Pukeora is evolving into a vineyard. The limestone soils contained within the north facing basin combined with the warm Hawke’s Bay summer climate provides an ideal site for growing a number of grape varieties especially pinot gris, chardonnay pinot noir, and merlot. Despite the altitude at 210m, being on a hillside promotes air drainage and reduces frost risk. The first hectare of grape planting began in 2000. The planting now totals 13,000 vines on 5 Ha of planted area. The first commercial vintage of 9 tonnes was harvested in 2004, with the biggest of 19 tonnes in 2006. On a steeper part of the hillside, 28 terraces have been carved along the contours to enable the steep terrain to be more safely developed. These face north west and receive up to 3oC additional heat due to the steeper angle of the sun’s rays. The top 14 terraces are planted with merlot. Small plantings of cabernet sauvignon, malbec, syrah and semillon have been established on the mid to lower terraces. Row spacing is 2.4m apart. Vine spacing varies from 2m to 1.3m apart. The soil type is Matapiro Complex 28D -”lime bearing muddy sandstone inter-bedded with limestone”. The soil profile from the surface is generally: 30 cm of fertile loam at top, then a band of gritty free draining clay 20cm to 2m thick, then tends to be weathered limestone followed by solid limestone rock as a base. The plantable acreage, is approximately 17 Ha. Text Box: Hillside Vineyard Text Box: The Pukeora hillside has been developed into a picturesque vineyard. To date 5 Ha have been planted … Merlot TeracesText Box: Picking Merlot on the terraces (The Benches) GrapesVines+Wild FlowersText Box: Pinot Noir , top block

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