Evert purchased the land for what was to become the Settler vineyard in 1993. The vines were planted by friends and locals over a long weekend in 1994. The 2.5ha, north-facing vineyard, comprising Sauvignon Blanc, Gewürztraminer, Chardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and small amounts of Cabernet Franc and Malbec is found along the banks of the Okawa stream, surrounded by native bush in the Crownthorpe sub-region of inland Hawke’s Bay, 25km west of Hastings.
Compared to the more temperate coastal plains, the vineyard enjoys higher day and lower night time temperatures and combined with the deep, stoney soils of the Matipiro region, produce fruit focused wines with finesse.
The Settler Vineyard is a project of joy, of life and reflection. Vineyard toil is a choice, not a burden. I invite you to experience my wines that are a product of that philosophy.
THE STORY
Evert purchased the land for what was to become the Settler vineyard in 1993 and the vines planted in 1994. The north-facing vineyard, surrounded by native bush, is found along the banks of the Okawa stream in the Crownthorpe sub-region of inland Hawke’s Bay.
Compared to the more temperate coastal plains, the vineyard enjoys lower day and night time peaks and dips and combined with Matipiro silt loam soils of low fertility, produce fruit focused wines with finesse.
Settler Vineyards is a project of joy, of life and reflection. The vineyard and work is a choice, not a burden. The resulting wine is a product of that philosophy.
VINTAGE & WINEMAKING
Cabernet Sauvignon 50%, Merlot 45% & Cabernet Franc 5%. The grapes were hand harvested, destemmed, gravity fed to the onsite fermentation vat, then co-fermented with a 3 week extended ferment and time on skins.
The fermentation self started with indigenous yeast then was inoculated. The wine resultant wine was basket pressed to barrel to continue the Malo ferment.
Maturation in barrel continued for 5 months with three rackings pre bottling.
TASTING NOTE
This is a medium bodied red blend showing an aroma of plum, guava and truffle. The palate gives generous plum and blackberry flavours and yet is elegant with restraint oaky and herbal notes and a lasting finish.
TECH SPECS
pH 3.72
TA 6.2
Alc./vol. 13.0%
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THE STORY
Evert purchased the land for what was to become the Settler vineyard in 1993 and the vines planted in 1994. The north-facing vineyard, surrounded by native bush, is found along the banks of the Okawa stream in the Crownthorpe sub-region of inland Hawke’s Bay.
Compared to the more temperate coastal plains, the vineyard enjoys lower day and night time peaks and dips and combined with Matipiro silt loam soils of low fertility, produce fruit focused wines with finesse.
Settler Vineyards is a project of joy, of life and reflection. The vineyard and work is a choice, not a burden. The resulting wine is a product of that philosophy.
VINTAGE & WINEMAKING
A harvest of predominantly small berries, reducing the yield but adding to concentration were harvested at 23.5Bx then basket pressed and settled for 24 hours before being transferred to barrel. Primary fermentation at a constant temperature took three weeks to dry followed by a period of lees stirring. 30% was left to undergo malolactic conversion.
Minimum fining took place prior to bottling after 9 months in barrel.
TASTING NOTE
Bright luminescent yellow/gold. Generous aromas of tropical fruit with sweet yeasty notes and subtle oak. This is a mouth filling, full bodied chardonnay. Ripe tropical fruits with a firm structure, complemented by restrained grapefruit citrus flavours. Yeasty notes and a hint of smokey oak complete the long finish.
TECH SPECS
pH 3.34
TA 7.5
Alc./vol. 13.5%
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Evert Nijzink
Wine Consultancy and Equipment
PO Box 1414, Hastings
New Zealand
