Our Vineyards

our vineyards

The best sites for the best wine

New Zealand is such a special and unique place to grow grapes because of our extraordinary unblemished sunlight and just the right amount of hot and cold temperatures.

At Čuvar we have carefully chosen vineyards where we know nature can do its best work, then we trust the seasons to shape the unique distinction of each vintage.

Our Vineyards

Our three estate vineyards sit in very different corners of Hawke's Bay, giving us a distinctive selection of sites and soils to work with. Each brings its own character to the wines, and the freedom to let place lead.

Bay View, Čuvar Home Block

Cornerstone, Gimblett Gravels

Te Hau, Matapiro, Crownthorpe

HAWKE'S BAY

Čuvar ‘Homeblock’ Bayview

Elevation 16-17 metres. 1.29 Ha.

In 1986, before he was a Sir, George Fistonich carefully shaped the hillside overlooking the South Pacific in Hawke Bay, carving terraces into the land with quiet vision. Today, while the upper terraces are no longer in production, the lower vineyard still holds its roots — 15-year-old Chardonnay vines (clone 95) thriving in loam soils. This is our home block, with the winery nestled just above, watching over the vines.

Planted Variety: Chardonnay

Soil type: Silt loam

Vine age: 15 years

HAWKES BAY

Cornerstone

ELEVATION 27 – 32 METRES. 22.63 HA.

The jewel in the Gimblett Gravels crown, Cornerstone was planted in the famous Gimblett Gravels appellation, the only one classified on soil type and not the geography. The free-draining soils were formed after the flooding of the Ngaruroro River back in 1867. While it naturally has low rainfall, if we get a good downpour, the next day we wonder if rain fell at all, with water quickly wicked from the feet of the vines to allow just a quick drink.

The old adage ‘treat them mean, keep them keen’ is apt here. Our Cornerstone vineyard can often be one of the messiest vineyards among its neighbours, but where it may not win a beauty contest it more than makes up for it where it counts – in the bottle.

Planted varieties and clones: Syrah (Limmer), Merlot (481), Malbec (BDX 595), Cabernet Sauvignon (Erindale, UCD4 and UCD1), Cabernet Franc (cl.214, cl.326)

Soil type: Gravel

Vine age: Majority 22 years

HAWKES BAY

‘Te Hau’ Matapiro – Crownthorpe

Elevation 120-130 metres. 15.5 Ha.

A recent addition to our estate, this compact, north-facing vineyard in Central Hawke’s Bay delivered its first harvest of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in 2024. Set on well-drained loam soils and shaped by steady coastal breezes, it produces fruit with clarity and energy.

We’ve named this block Te Hau (pronounced “Teh Ho”) — meaning the wind in Te Reo Māori. It’s a nod to the ever-present breeze that flows through the site, but also to something deeper: hau can also mean vital essence or breath of life — capturing the spirit of this place and the wines it inspires.

Planted Varieties: Pinot Gris (unk), Sauvignon Blanc (MS), Pinot Noir (667), Chardonnay (95)

Soil type: Silt Loam Soil

Vine age: Sauvignon Blanc (10 years), Chardonnay (4-6 years), Pinot Noir & Pinot Gris (15 years)

Marlborough

Ballochdale, Awatere Valley

Elevation 300 metres. 28.35 Ha.

On an isolated peninsula of land, surrounded by deep ravines and covered with native bush, a lot of love and labour went into transforming what was once a sheep farm into a vineyard 300 metres above sea level. This high altitude, combines with a sheltered location, isolation, a northerly aspect and the evenness and suitability of soils to produce wines of identity and intensity. The site includes 30ha. of native bush which is now a conservation area closed to grazing.

The space is soul food for winemakers and visitors alike. And in a world that increasingly makes decisions based on commodities and volume, it is heartening to have a vineyard that is there for the love of good wine and practices.

Planted Varieties: Sauvignon Blanc (MS), and Pinot Noir (cl.5, cl.667 and 115)

Soil type: Clay Loam

Vine age: 23 years

HAWKES BAY

Rivermere

Located on a natural terrace approximately 500 metres from the Ngaruroro River, Rivermere was formerly known as Lyons Vineyard. The upper terrace lies within the Gimblett Gravels appellation, with free-draining, stony soils formed by the same historic 1867 flood event that shaped Cornerstone Vineyard.

Planted in 1996 to the now highly regarded UCD Clone 15, the Chardonnay block was one of the early legends of its time. Its stony nature typically made it one of the first Chardonnay blocks to be harvested, producing fruit with concentration, freshness and a distinctive sense of place.

Planted variety and clone: Chardonnay (UCD Clone 15)

Soil type: Gravel

Vine age: 30 years

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.

MEET THE TEAM

@cuvarwinery