Gisborne

Gisborne is located north of Hawkes Bay on the east coast of the North Island and has earned the reputation as the Chardonnay capital of New Zealand. Thornbury’s Gisborne vineyards are situated on an elevated, north facing slope where they can enjoy all day sun. Their elevated position exposes the vines to a gentle sea breeze which ensures that fruit is kept clean, dry and disease free. Several Chardonnay clones have been planted, providing the winemaker with a variety of blending options to create a unique and complex wine.

Hawkes Bay

Hawkes Bay experiences a more moderate climate compared to other grape growing areas of New Zealand. Warm days, coolish nights and gentle sea breezes are ideal for the ripening of red grape varieties. Our fruit is sourced specifically from the coveted Gimblett Gravels viticultural area. Here free-draining, low vigour sites ensure rip concentrated fruit, with rounded, silky tannins.

Marlborough

Blessed with a cool overall climate but long, warm summer days and free-draining soil, the Marlborough wine growing district is world renowned. Thornbury wines from this region are selected from across the three key viticultural areas: the Waihopai, Wairua and Awatere Valleys. This ensures that we are working with a spectrum of grape parcels that have undergone extended ripening and development with a consequent flavour retention that is expressed in our wines.

Central Otago

The most continental climate of New Zealand’s regions, Central Otago enjoys hot days and cool nights. Although short, the growing season is extremely intense; hot summer days, low rainfall and dry shale based soils mean the vineyards are dependent on careful irrigation management. The Thornbury vineyards in this region are planted with a variety of Pinot Noir clones, resulting in wine which is distinctive in style and layered with complexity.