Malbec, famously associated with France and Argentina, grows well in the well-drained warm soils of Hawke's Bay; here, under the clear skies, it develops a good level of ripeness which can be detected on the rich palate. Fermented to complete dryness and unoaked, the wine is a dark purple, almost black; it shows classic spicy blackberry aromas on the nose with notes of liquorice and dark chocolate.
The Te Awa winery is nestled in the heart of the Gimblett Gravels wine growing region in Hawke’s Bay. The full Maori name given to the site is Te Awa o Te Atua which means 'River of God', a reference to the mysterious subterranean streams over which the vineyards are situated.
Their whimsical approach to exploration, creativity and imagination is embodied in their Left Field wines which go beyond the boundaries of the single estate. It is the birthplace of the unexpected, the weird and the wonderful.
Te Awa’s vineyard soils were laid down by the Ngaruroro River which meandered through this part of the valley until a huge flood changed its course in 1867; these alluvial soils consistently produce high-quality fruit.
The Hawke’s Bay region has a maritime climate, with hot, dry, north-westerly winds, low rainfall and a long growing season with an annual average of about 2,300 sunshine hours; this makes Hawke’s Bay one of the warmest areas in New Zealand.