Hawke's Bay Wine

Hawke's Bay is New Zealand's warmest major wine region, and it shows in what ends up in this collection: riper, richer reds built around Syrah and Bordeaux-style blends of Merlot and Cabernet, alongside full-bodied Chardonnay that holds its own against warmer-climate whites elsewhere. It's the part of the country to look to if Marlborough's zesty Sauvignon Blanc isn't what you're after, since the style here leans warmer and more structured across both reds and whites. Hawke's Bay Syrah and Hawke's Bay Merlot are both worth exploring on their own if you already know the variety you want, and Chardonnay remains a reliable standout throughout. Central Otago sits at the other end of the spectrum if you're comparing New Zealand's cooler regions instead.