New Zealand Tourism Online

Vineyard Winery in Blenheim, Marlborough, New Zealand

Huia Vineyards Introduction

Huia Vineyards is the vineyard winery in Blenheim established by winemakers Claire and Mike Allan, who were drawn to Marlborough by the intense fruit flavours in the wines.

After studying wine at Roseworthy College, they gained experience in key Marlborough wineries, along with an extended stage in Champagne, France. In 1996 Mike and Claire established Huia Vineyards, a small private company committed to the production of premium and classic wines in Marlborough.

Huia is focused on hand crafting fine and unique wines expressing the richness of Marlborough grapes, from the vineyard through to the table.

Viticulture at our Vineyard Winery in Blenheim

The Allan’s Rapaura Road property was purchased in late 1990 and the vineyard has been planted while keeping in mind the blends for our premium and classic wines in Marlborough. New Dijon, or Burgundy, chardonnay and Pinot noir clones have been planted and are in full production. The Sauvignon blanc vines are multiple selection along with two promising new clones.

Grapes are sourced from this home vineyard and from selected growers on specific sites around the valley. Different soil profiles, rainfall patterns and the orientation of vineyards are some important factors in choosing the variety most suited to that location. Each site gives the grapes a range of flavours, which show in the wines.

The viticulture techniques applied across all vineyards aim to maximise grape quality in every vintage. Particular attention is paid to controlling yields along with canopy management to expose fruit to the sun and provide ripe, healthy grapes. Huia uses these techniques to optimise the natural balance between sugar, acid and all the flavours. This creates a delicious degree of balance, texture and palate length.

The Huia

The huia was a unique New Zealand bird, and the luminescent tail feathers were used as adornments signifying great dignity and wisdom.

The pair co-existed as a team in the dense forest canopy, and it is the only bird in the world in which the bills of the male and female birds are different in shape. The last official sighting of the huia was in 1907, however unconfirmed reports of their bird song have been occasionally heard in the Ureweras.

For further information about our premium and classic wines in Marlborough, please contact us or visit our vineyard winery in Blenheim Web site

Climate of our Vineyard Winery in Blenheim

The climate of New Zealand is a result of its maritime nature, the latitude and topography.

Winery bike tour
Marlborough, New Zealand
Photographer: Ian Trafford
(www.iantraffordphotos.com)

If New Zealand were in the north Hemisphere, the country would stretch from North Africa to Paris but the moderating influence of the Gulf Stream on European vineyards results in hotter growing conditions than in vineyards of equivalent southern latitude.

Blenheim is in Marlborough, east coast of New Zealand at 41.5° latitude. Average monthly temperature ranges from 7°C in winter to 18°C in summer. Winter nights often drop below freezing, with the minimum about -5°C. Usually after a frost, the day will be clear and sunny with temperatures becoming quite pleasant during the day.

Summers are characterised by many days up towards 30°C, with a few days reaching the low 30°C. Summer nights are cool and responsible for the low average monthly temperatures and for the intensity of flavours that the fruit develops from slow ripening.

The average rainfall is around 650mm per year. It is dispersed randomly through the year with a slight dominance in winter, and there are often periods of a number of months with almost zero rainfall.

For further information about our premium and classic wines in Marlborough, please contact us or visit our vineyard winery in Blenheim Web site

Entire Site Search