Contract Growers

There are four major areas that Mission Estate draws fruit from - this includes growers who have a long term relationship with us, and those that we buy from on a vintage to vintage basis. This process is always managed with consistency and quality in mind.

These areas include;

Ohiti Road

Ohiti Road is located north west of Fernhill, Hawkes Bay. This wine-growing area runs parallel to the Tutaekuri River, where 40ha of our contract grower vineyards are located. Each of these sites offers subtle variations in wine character.

Management of these varying zones requires finesse and attention to detail, as each zone requires different inputs to maintain consistency within these blocks. When consistency is achieved a balanced, structured wine can be produced.

The soils vary across each of these sites - the predominant soil type being a Twyford Sandy Loam with the balance made up by Tukituki Gravely Sand. The sandy loam is planted in mainly sauvignon blanc and chardonnay. This is ideal soil for producing intensely flavoured, fruit-driven Hawke's Bay style wines. The gravelly sand is ideally suited to red varieties, particularly merlot and cabernet sauvignon. These stonier regions limit the vines vegetative growth so that balanced vines can be grown optimising potential fruit flavours.

These sites make up a large portion of our vineyard selection range, and when the season permits, Jewelstone fruit may be sourced from these sites.

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Moteo Pa

Moteo Pa is located to the north west of Taradale, Hawkes Bay. This area can experience some of Hawkes Bay's highest temperatures and can produce stunning wines in favorable seasons. Four of our contract growers are located in this region, totalling 25 hectares.

These sites are more consistent in terms of soil type than Ohiti Road, so there is little variation across blocks. The predominant soil type is Poporangi Sandy Loam. The parent material consists of alluvium deposits formed from volcanic ash and greywacke. The topsoil is a sandy loam to 35cm before reaching a cemented pan overlaying stones at 60cm.

These sites are very robust and can support a wide range of premium grapes, both red and white. Chardonnay and sauvignon blanc do particularly well in this area, with some of our top Chardonnay for Jewelstone coming from these immaculately cared for sites. In good seasons, chardonnay from this area produces unique flavours unmatched by many rival chardonnay producing areas. Merlot and cabernet also do well in this area in dry seasons, contributing a substantial percentage to our estate red wine range.

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Middle Road

Middle Road follows the Tukituki River through gently rolling hill country to an amazing east-facing slope on a plateau overlooking the river. This site is very unique and is planted in chardonnay, merlot and pinot gris.

The flavours that these varieties can develop when crop load is low and canopy management is perfected is so distinct that it offers our winemakers incredible blending options. This site usually forms the basis for our Jewelstone range.

The soil type is a Tukituki sandy gravel consisting of loess to 1 metre over a limestone base. This soil type is very unique and is one of the Mission' Estate's most prized contract blocks. The site is elevated and slightly cooler than other regions on the Heretaunga plains. This prolonged ripening period intensifies flavour development and produces very well structured wines. It is truly a special site.

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Ngatarawa Triangle

This region, known as the red metal triangle, is one of the region's most recognized wine growing districts. The region is the flood plain of the Ngaruroro River, consisting of sandy loam topsoil over greywacke stones. These red metal soils retain more moisture than the Gimblett Gravels, as there is more organic matter and a deeper topsoil layer, meaning that these soils can hold more moisture and nutrients.

The heat summation is very similar to the Gimblett Gravels, and in a good season the wines are often better than wines produced from the gravels. Although it is particularly suited to early ripening red varieties, chardonnay and sauvignon blanc also perform well here. Fruit from this area makes up a significant percentage of our estate range.