The Goldwater philosophy is simple - great wine is born in the vineyard. Goldwater combines old world traditional wine making techniques with modern day technology to achieve outstanding and memorable hand-crafted wines. The success of Goldwater wines is demonstrated by the fact that there are now more than thirty vineyards on Waiheke Island. Careful site selection, sustainable viticultural practices and meticulous vineyard management, including innovative trellising and low yields, ensure the production of exceptionally high quality grapes.
The Estate owned Waiheke Island vineyards extend over 35 acres of free-draining clay based hillside soils and are planted with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Syrah and Chardonnay. It was not until 1992 that the Goldwaters made their first wine in Marlborough. Today they are equally well known for their outstanding Sauvignon Blanc (previously Dog Point and New Dog) and Roseland Chardonnay. Both these wines are now focused on Wairau Valley fruit. The Boatshed Bay Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay are a blend of fruit from both the Wairau and Awatere valleys in Marlborough.
In Marlborough's internationally acclaimed Wairau Valley, grapes are grown on 85 acres of silty clays over gravels by growers who have been with Goldwaters for over 10 years. A further 70 acres is being progressively planted in the Awatere Valley under new partnerships, which will bring additional complexity and depth to our Marlborough wines.
A new vineyard in the highly esteemed Gimblett Gravels sub region of Hawkes Bay has recently been planted for Goldwater Estate. It has been propogated from vines on Waiheke Island to produce a blended Merlot red. In April 2006, Goldwater Wines merged with Vavasour Wines, the pioneering winery from Marlborough's Awatere valley.
In the Hawkes Bay, 20 acres of red Bordeaux varieties are planted on the deep, stony, free draining soils of the Gimblett Gravels region. These plantings have largely been propagated from Goldwater’s successful selections of vines on Waiheke Island and are with a talented viticultural team in the Bay.
With thirty years of experience in winegrowing, the Goldwaters recognise the importance of soil and vine health and wherever possible choose organic or soft practices within this sustainable framework. Soil and plant analysis is completed regularly and close vine monitoring extends throughout all areas of the vineyard. Goldwater Estate has been an initial participant in the Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand Scheme. This scheme has been widely adopted throughout the country to provide a best practice model of environmental practices in the vineyard and winery. Through these practices the objective is to address concerns in matters pertaining to the environment and winegrape production. Goldwater also aim to improve vineyard management and wine quality through sustainable practices.
Goldwater's focus on careful vineyard management has ensured the wines have vibrant fruit characters, harmonious balance, elegant structure and exceptional concentration. Balance is fundamental. The grapes are analysed daily prior to harvest and then hand picked in small batches.
