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Hawke's Bay
One of the Great Wine Capitals of the World
Every great wine begins with place. For Čuvar, that place is Hawke’s Bay.
Recognised as one of the Great Wine Capitals of the world, Hawke’s Bay stands alongside regions such as Bordeaux, Rioja, Mendoza, Porto, Verona and Napa Valley. It is New Zealand’s oldest wine region, with vines first planted in 1851, and has earned an international reputation for wines of depth, elegance and character.
Hawke’s Bay’s strength lies in its diversity. More than 25 soil types, a long growing season, warm sunshine and cooling Pacific Ocean breezes create ideal conditions for wines of purity, balance and structure.
Why Hawke's Bay
Although the Fistonich family has made wine across New Zealand for decades, Hawke’s Bay has long held a special place in the family’s story.
The family has owned its historic Bay View winery, formerly home to Esk Valley Winery, since the 1980s. Nearby, Cornerstone Vineyard in the Gimblett Gravels has produced fruit for many of Sir George’s finest wines over the years and remains one of the family’s most treasured vineyard sites.
When Sir George founded Čuvar Winery, Hawke’s Bay became the natural home for the family’s next chapter, bringing together a historic winery, exceptional vineyards and more than seventy-five years of family winemaking.
Proudly Hawke's Bay
Today, every bottle from the 2026 vintage onwards is crafted exclusively from Hawke’s Bay fruit.
By focusing on one remarkable region, we can express it with greater authenticity, precision and confidence.
These are contemporary classic New Zealand wines, shaped by Hawke’s Bay and crafted to stand confidently on the world stage.
Our Story
With his inspiring energy and lifelong dedication to pioneering progression in the wine industry, Čuvar is the vision of legendary wine entrepreneur, Sir George Fistonich.
READ OUR STORY
Our Team
We’ve gathered a team who believe that boundaries are there to be pushed. We’re united in our love of New Zealand fine wine, but also in our goal of making it even better.
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@cuvarwinery
