Esk Valley Vineyards

Founded by Englishman Robert Bird as Glenvale winery in 1933, the property was renamed Esk Valley in the late 1970s. In the late 1980s it was bought by George Fistonich, the creator of Villa Maria and has risen to prominence as one of the country’s top boutique wineries. In the last few years, Syrah has shown itself to be the star grape of Hawke’s Bay. The 2007 Syrah has spent 21 months in French oak, 30% new. It is a concentrated and inky wine, with red fruits, pepper and spice and subtle oak.