Gibson Bridge Winery
Gibson Bridge is a boutique family owned vineyard located in Renwick, the heart of New Zealand's premium white grape growing region - Marlborough. Howard and Julie Simmonds have established, and tend their vineyard on the bank of the fast flowing alpine fed Gibson Creek. Howard planted the block with Pinot Gris as a mainstay but also with tiny quantities of Syrah, Malbec, Merlot, Pinot Noir and Gewürtztraminer. Gibson Bridge produce small quantities of premium wine with Howard the Viticulturist and David Tyney the Winemaker.
Website: www.gibsonbridge.co.nz
1. What differentiates your vineyard to others in the region?
We are a family developed, owned and operated winery, truly boutique with only 6 acres and 5500 vines – all hand crafted Pinot Gris specialists with more Pinot Gris in styles than anywhere else in New Zealand. We also have Gewurztraminer and a one barrel blend of four varieties of red wines. We are close to the heart of Marlborough's grape growing area Renwick, on the main highway Blenheim to Nelson – you can’t miss us. One interesting fact is we supply wine to NZ Parliament and 90% of Blenheim’s restaurants. We can also ship personal wine orders door to door to most places in the world so no need to panic if you like what you try – you can probably send some home ahead of you.
2. What’s your most popular wine?
Pinot Gris and Gewürztraminer
3. What’s your favourite wine to produce?
Pinot Gris, Gewurztraminer and red blend
4. Does your vineyard have a restaurant? What style is it? Popular dish?
No restaurant on site but only a 5 minute drive from Renwick.
5. What else would you recommend people do while they are in they’re in the region?
Visit Omaka Aircraft museum, do a Wine tasting tour and drive the beautiful Marlborough Sounds
Please note: Children under the age of 12 are not permitted to stay overnight on site, Maui bookings with children will not be accepted.
Linden Estate
Linden Estate's vineyards are situated on the slopes of the Esk Valley hills, enjoying the warm climate of the Hawke’s Bay.
Hawke’s Bay is known as a warm area of New Zealand, with moderate rainfall and abundant sunshine. Esk Valley is the most northerly of the Hawkes Bay wine growing areas and is one of the oldest vineyard locations in the area.
Our site has a unique microclimate offering protection from frosts and promoting vigorous growth.
Website: www.lindenestatewinery.co.nz
1. What differentiates your vineyard to others in the region?
Linden Estate is a boutique winery with 16 acres/hectares? and was established in 1971 by the Van Der Linden family. Linden Estate Winery has a reputation for producing premium boutique wines.
The present owners purchased the estate in 2006 and with a new dedicated team. Our care and attention to the vines and the terroir continue to grow our forebear’s reputation under the Linden Estate brand.
Our winemaker and vineyard team use wild fermentation process during the wine production and take extreme care and measures with the vines to ensure the best fruit is harvested resulting in creating exceptional wines.
Our mission at Linden Estate is to produce a selection of premium boutique wines that we’re proud to call our own and provide visitors coming to Linden with a memorable experience and feel as part of the Linden family.
2. What’s your most popular wine?
Chardonnay, Syrah and Merlot
3. What’s your favourite wine to produce?
Dam Block, this is Linden’s flagship Bordeaux varietal blend. But in saying that, each vintage offers an amazing surprise that has seen our Chardonnay’s Sauvignon Blanc’s, Pinotage, Merlot and Rose to stun the most discerning sommelier.
4. Does your vineyard have a restaurant? What style is it? Popular dish?
Our restaurant, Valley d’Vine, caters cuisine for lunch and dinner for a wide variety of patrons. From Local’s night to formal weddings, Greg, our Chef, and the team like to excite diners with dishes that complement our Linden Estate Wines.
With outstanding views of our vineyards, Valley D’Vine provides the perfect setting for your dining experience. Greg is renowned for his seafood cuisine and the seafood chowder is a favourite with our regular guests dining at the restaurant. As a representative for New Zealand Lamb and Beef, Greg also delights with sumptuous steaks.
5. What else would you recommend people do while they are in they’re in the region?
- Hawke’s Bay Region has a number of interesting places to visit. Te Mata Peak lookout point has amazing views of the Hawke’s Bay region and worthwhile exploring the variety of walking tracks in the area.
- Hawke’s Bay offers an extensive Wine experience, visiting the wineries and tasting some of the wines can create very memorable highlights of your visit.
- Napier is known for its Art Deco architecture buildings, tours run daily providing information of the buildings history and historic landmarks around Napier.
- Napier has a great selection of cafes, restaurants and wine bars plus hundreds of kilometres of picturesque cycleways.
- A wander down Marine Parade on a beautiful Hawke’s Bay day takes some beating.