Gimblett Gravels has become a hot spot of New Zealand’s famous Hawke’s Bay wine region. And yet the soil here was considered worthless as late as the mid-1980s. There was nothing here except (this being New Zealand) some sheep. Around that time, however, somebody took a closer look at that deep, well-drained gravelly soil. And before long the sheep were gone. The sheep were replaced by neat rows of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah. In 30 years, 2000 acres (800 hectares) were planted. Union Vineyard was among the first to realize the potential of Gimblett Gravels.
Read more on Britt’s article on BKWine Magazine, originally published on Forbes: New Zealand pioneer Unison Vineyard interprets Gimblett Gravels terroir | Britt on Forbes.
Join us on the wine tour to New Zealand in February 2021.
You can see plenty of pictures and videos (including the above) on our New Zealand wine tour Facebook group.
