Vineyard: Hazel’s Vineyard is McHenry Hohnen’s southernmost site, located near Witchcliffe in the headwaters of Chapman Brook. With ironstone gravel loam soils over a clay base, the vineyard offers excellent drainage and natural low vigour. A northerly aspect and strong Southern Ocean influence create ideal conditions for growing a wide range of varieties with structure, perfume, and site clarity. Hazel’s has always been farmed with a deep respect for the land and a focus on soil health and sustainability.
A season that slowly escalated into a very hectic but also exciting harvest. A cooler and wet Spring saw vine growth delayed in development, and we were set for a late start of harvest. But then Summer came, and it was full of sunshine, dry and warm through December, January, and February with warm days and some warm nights. The red harvest started about a week after the end of the whites, giving our busy cellar team very little time to catch their breath. Yields were lower than expected across red varietals as well, however the warm and dry weather created desirable conditions for our reds that are already showcasing fantastic tannin ripeness, concentration, and vibrancy of colour.
