Trinity Hill Gimblett Gravels, `Homage` Gimblett Gravels Syrah

Trinity Hill is synonymous with quality and consistency, making wines emblematic of Hawkes Bay. Winemaker Warren Gibson has worked at Trinity Hill since 1997. In addition to his winemaking expertise, Warren also manages Trinity Hill’s 80 hectares of vineyards across Hawkes Bay and the Gimblett Gravels. His encyclopaedic knowledge of the region and its vineyards is reflected in the quality of the wines. Warren and his team show the best of what Hawkes Bay and the Gimblett Gravels can produce. These wines are defined by elegance, balance, drinkability, and flavour precision, making them a joy to drink.

Originally founded in 1993 by winemaker John Hancock and restaurateurs Robert and Robyn Wilson, Trinity Hill was sold in 2021 to a group of New Zealand private investors passionate about the wine industry, including Director Mitch Plaw and his business partners, Craig Turner, Mark Sandelin and Michael Nock. Together, they continue Trinity Hills' legacy for quality and award-winning, site-specific winemaking.

Gimblett Gravels

Trinity Hill were among the first to plant grapes on the Gimblett Gravels in 1993. Defined by gravelly soils laid down by the old Ngaruroro River, the Gimblett Gravels is a highly sought-after and strictly designated Hawkes Bay subregion, prized for the quality of its Chardonnay and Syrah. All three of Trinity Hills estate vineyards are located here.

Trinity Hill’s Gimblett Gravels Chardonnay is predominantly made from the ‘125 Gimblett’ vineyard (or ‘Tin Shed’ vineyard), where silt over gravel soils produce a wine that is rich yet elegant, with a beautiful linear acidity. The sophisticated and precise single vineyard ‘125 Gimblett` Chardonnay is one of the finest examples from the region.

The Gimblett Gravels Syrah hails from numerous vineyards in the subregion with soils consisting of deep greywacke gravels. The Syrah is co-fermented with Viognier skins, nodding to a classic Côte-Rôtie blend. It is an elegant wine, defined by notes of cracked pepper and wild berry fruits balanced by good acidity. ‘The Gimblett’ blends Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and a little Tempranillo, sourced from two low-yielding vineyards. It is powerful and richly structured with lovely blackberry aromatics.

Trinity Hills' most celebrated red wine is the lauded ‘Homage’ Syrah, which is produced only in the very best years and in very limited quantities. It pays tribute to the late Gérard Jaboulet, a long-time friend of Robert, Robyn and John, who worked alongside Gérard in Tain L’Hermitage for the 1996 vintage. Inspired by wines from the Northern Rhône, ‘Homage’ is a wine of incredible elegance and power, described by Jancis Robinson MW as “a dead ringer for Côte-Rôtie” with “great balance and poise.”