High expectations in Hawke's Bay

Vintage is in full swing across Australia and New Zealand, but there is particular optimism in Hawke's Bay on the north island of Kiwiland. 

It may be tempting fate, but the wine producers of  Hawke's Bay are proclaiming that this year is looming as a great one. 

"Every so often, a vintage emerges that could define a wine region’s legacy," Hawke's Bay Wine proclaims in its latest newsletter. 

"In Hawke’s Bay, murmurs are growing that 2025 may be one of those years - potentially rivalling even the renowned 2013 vintage."

Hawke’s Bay Wine CEO Brent Linn visited wineries across the region to hear first-hand how the harvest is progressing. 

Winemakers from Te Mata Estate, Brookfields Winery, and Craggy Range all reported outstanding fruit quality, with ideal growing conditions delivering pristine grapes at optimal ripeness.

Te Mata Estate senior winemaker Phil Brodie described the season as "unique and potentially legendary," while Brookfields’ Peter Robertson, now in his 51st harvest, noted exceptional quality in both white and red varieties. 

With warm, dry conditions, vintage 2025 is shaping up to be one of the most promising in recent history.

Senior winemaker Ben Tombs highlighted an early harvest with vibrant acidity and excellent structure at Craggy Range.

Mayor Sandra Hazlehurst joined the visit at Te Mata Estate, emphasising the wine industry’s crucial role in the region’s economy, tourism, and global reputation. 

Sally Duncan, chair of Hawke’s Bay Winegrowers, reinforced the industry's impact, noting that over 32 million bottles of Hawke’s Bay wine will reach consumers worldwide this vintage.

As winemakers complete their work in the vineyard and turn their focus to the winery, the question remains: Could this be "the one"? 

Brothers maintain wine industry optimism

In a wine landscape that is frequently full of doom and gloom, one South Australian winery is being admirably positive.

Family-owned and -operated Lloyd Brothers has launched new branding - and has planted new vineyards at a time when other producers are less optimistic.

The thrust is being led by go-ahead GM Sam Temme, (ex Charles Melton and Wirra Wirra) who joined in 2020. It his second stint with the brothers. .

"Everything at Lloyd Brothers is falling into place nicely in what is obviously incredibly tough time in the industry," Temme says.

"We have to keep trying to put a positive spin on things. But no doubt it is the toughest I’ve seen the industry in my 30 years working in it.

"We launched Pure Wine Co. as our national distributors at the start of last year and they are doing a great job getting our new wines out to the Australian trade."

Lloyd Brothers is owned by David and Matthew Lloyd, third-generation McLaren Vale vignerons, who founded their business 22 years ago. The brothers have 43 hectares under vine across McLaren Vale and the cooler Adelaide Hills and also farm olive groves.

Recent releases include an outstanding 2021 Lloyd Brothers McLaren Vale Reserve Shiraz Western Block 2, a benchmark wine that was born from the Chinese tariff debacle that has hit the wine industry so hard.

"We knew what we were heading into when the China tariffs hit and David Lloyd used this time to invest and get me on board to re-brand and re-structure Lloyd Brothers," Temme says.

Prior to 2021 the grapes from this block were being sold to Penfolds for premium releases.

From 2022 the entire block will be used by the family for its reserve release.

Temme describes is as "one of the last pieces of the Lloyd Brothers rebranding puzzle", adding: 

"We are thrilled with the wine and the final packaging, including a handful of wooden boxed magnums.

"We have purchased more land, planted more vineyards (conservatively) and top grafted other blocks to suit where we see our wine brand going."

Among a very impressive line-up of current releases are the 2023 Lloyd Brothers Adelaide Hills Estate Picpoul $26), some Med-inspired brisk, high-acid refreshment, and a 2022 GSM ($32), a well balanced all-purpose red blend, as well as a stylish cool-climate 2022 Adelaide Hills Syrah ($35).

Two wines, however, stood out for me: a delicious summer-friendly 2023 Lloyd Brothers McLaren Vale Nouveau ($28), a lip-smackingly good and very swish grenache/shiraz/mourvedre field blend perfect for enjoying chilled on a warm day. 

And the star of the show: that 2021 Reserve Shiraz Western Block 2 ($90, right) , made from grapes grown on Block 2 on the Western Block of the Lloyd Brothers McLaren Vale Estate from a "perfect vintage".

A 30% new oak component adds some swagger to a very impressive package. This is twice as good as a lot of South Australian reds that are double, or more, the price. Outstanding.

For those who worry about such matters, the wines are all Vegan friendly.

For more details and orders see https://lloydbrothers.com.au/