Say Hi to Mabel
The newest member of our Highland Cattle family was born to Ella on August 10th. She’s happy, healthy, and absolutely adorable. Cattle are loved by the Te Mata team and visitors alike and add to our biodynamic programme.
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Why ‘Precision’ Viticulture?
Sustainability technology in viticulture has moved well beyond good intentions. It is now a practical, measurable set of tools that allows vineyards to work with greater precision, lower impact, and deeper understanding of their land. At Te Mata, many of these technologies are already part of how we farm, not as add-ons, but as extensions of long-established vineyard practice.
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2024 The Holy Grail?
Each vintage is a celebration of time and our terroir. Each one is distinct, each one is shaped by the land, people, and nature. In 2024, we had time to find poise. It was an remarkable harvest, producing beautifully balanced wines with elegance, power and restraint. Deeply thought-provoking wines.
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Spring Crimper in Action
At Te Mata Estate, one of the more striking sights at this time of year is our crimper in action. Rather than cutting or mulching, this specialised piece of equipment gently bends the stems of grasses and companion plants, pressing them down without breaking them.
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Regeneration in Action
For nearly a decade, Te Mata has been quietly applying regenerative viticulture across our Havelock Hills, Bridge Pa, and Dartmoor vineyards. This is not a gesture toward fashion, but a disciplined exploration: watching, testing, and letting each method prove itself in the vineyard and in the glass.
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‘Straw by Straw’
At Te Mata Estate, viticulture begins with careful attention to the soil beneath the vines. Across the estate, a combination of under vine mowing and the application of straw is used to manage moisture, encourage biodiversity, and support vine health. These practices reflect a belief that long term quality in wine is built slowly, through thoughtful, ‘hands on’ decisions made in the vineyard.
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New Tech for Fresher Wines
At Te Mata Estate, innovation has always been most meaningful when it serves the vineyard. That philosophy continues with the introduction of an Armbruster vibrating fruit sorting table, making Te Mata the first winery in New Zealand to adopt this technology. Designed to handle fruit with extraordinary care, the sorter reflects a long standing commitment to precision, freshness, and the clear expression of Hawke’s Bay.
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Celebrating Conservation
This year marks a significant milestone for the Te Mata Special Character Zone as it celebrates its 30th anniversary. Nestled in the heart of Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand, this area stands as the country’s first legally protected zone for vineyards, winery, and viticulture, an achievement that sets a precedent in New Zealand’s wine industry.
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Companion Planting Updates
Spring has truly arrived in the Te Mata Estate character zone, and the vineyards are bursting with life. Between the vines, a carpet of mustard seed, tick bean, and phacelia is in full flower, bringing vibrant colour to the rows.
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Beyond Biodynamics
At Te Mata Estate we do use organic and biodynamic techniques, alongside traditional winemaking. We’re also known for regenerative and precision viticulture. For us it’s a ‘toolkit’ approach we use – one where we have to see the results in the glass, This time of year our preparations are made up. In this picture viticulturist Brenton O’Riley shows new vineyard staff our process.
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