This month we are back in the Hawke’s Bay, visiting Paritua Vineyard in the heart of the acclaimed Bridge Pa Triangle wine region.
THE LAND / VINEYARD
The name Paritua is a tribute to the Paritua Stream, which meanders gently through the vineyard, which is planted over the historical riverbed of the nearby Ngaruroro River that flowed through before the 1860s earthquake. It is a name that also acknowledges the connection with the land and the people of New Zealand.
The Paritua Vineyard site is all gravel soils and gentle contours, surrounded by hills and blessed with long, lingering summers and clear, crisp winters… exceptional conditions to create exceptional wines.
Their vines began to arrive in 2003. Since then, over 120 acres have been planted in three phases: seventy percent of the land is devoted to fruit that will yield the big red blends they favour – Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec – with Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay completing the picture. They have also installed a full overhead sprinkler frost protection system to eliminate crop loss.
‘Truly Great Wine Speaks of the Land in Which it was Born.’
Wines bearing the boutique label Paritua are produced only in outstanding vintages, whilst their Stone Paddock selection of wines are made every year. Every bottle of Paritua wine comes from grapes grown on this special, single vineyard, organically farmed site.
THE PEOPLE
The Winemaker is Jason Stent. After being introduced to wine at about 7 years old a lifetime love affair began. He grew up in Hawke’s Bay New Zealand, enjoying cold winters playing rugby, hiking, and racing bicycles, Indian summers filled with backyard cricket, softball, swimming, cycle racing and exploring New Zealand.
At 20 years old Jason headed to France to race in the tough amateur road racing competition. He raced for a Bordeaux based club for two seasons. After a chance tasting of a 1961 Chateau Haut Brion Magnum, he decided wine was his future.
In 1993 he began studying winemaking in Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand’s oldest wine growing region. By 1995 he was working in the industry and was Assistant Winemaker at the up and coming Sacred Hill Wines where he helped craft some of New Zealand’s most highly acclaimed Chardonnays and Syrah and blended red wines. After a 13 year stint at Sacred Hill Wines he joined Paritua in 2008 where he has continued to craft wines that respect the soil in which they are grown.
Jason’s passion is creating wines that have a sense of place that respect the varietal nature and the terroir in which the vine is grown.
THE WINERY & CELLAR DOOR
The development of the vineyard and winery infrastructure was a collaboration with leading New Zealand architects, Crosson Clarke Carnachan. They understood the drive for bold architecture that truly embraces the landscape.
Every design aspect was carefully considered and the winemaking operation had to be not only efficient, but also sustainable with the added requirement to sit gracefully in its environment.
“The shared belief at Paritua for why we do what we do is that New Zealand and Hawke’s Bay provides many opportunities not just for work and investment, but for a way of life. The fresh, clean air, the beaches and beautiful landscape are best enjoyed when shared with a great glass of wine and a platter of local produce.”
THE WINES
21:12 The flagship wine made in only the very best of vintages is a Cabernet Sauvignon dominant blend with Cabernet Franc and Merlot. The wine-making team at Paritua have one simple aim, to have 21·12 placed alongside the greatest Bordeaux Blends New Zealand has ever produced. Visit https://paritua.com/our-wines/21-12/
The Paritua Range is their best vintage expression. The wines are made from very low yielding vines from specially selected areas of the vineyard. The grapes are hand harvested and only the very best quality fruit is used: Chardonnay, Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon & Cabernet Franc. Visit https://paritua.com/our-wines/paritua-range/
The Stone Paddock range are their finest regional wines, crafted by Paritua Vineyards, representing the best of New Zealand’s diverse viticultural regions, and their commitment to quality and pure varietal expression. Visit https://paritua.com/our-wines/stone-paddock-range/
Paritua wines are available in New Zealand, USA, UK, Denmark and China – Experience the Paritua and Stone Paddock wines – wines that not only reflect a distinctly New Zealand style, but also their passion for quality winemaking.
To find out more about Paritua, visit and explore their very comprehensive website and purchase wines online. If you are in the Hawke’s Bay visit the cellar door and enjoy a tasting journey through their range of world-class wines and learn about the intricate flavours from their wine experts.
For more information and to purchase wine visit:
https://paritua.com
JB Reviews Wines from Paritua.
Paritua Vineyards & Winery 21.12 2021 Hawke’s Bay NZ
Brooding dark purple to black cherry in colour, lighter at the rim. In the nose, lush dark fruit aromas of blackcurrant, plum & cherry, followed by savoury herb, cigar box, oak spice – very aromatic. Powerful, textured palate, dark berry & cherry fruit flavours underpinned with spice, cocoa, grippy tannins, fine oak & a refreshing acidity. Many layers of complexity, depth & concentration. Persistent dry full-flavoured finish with finesse and power. My fave red this year I think. Just stunning.
69% Cab Sauv, 19% Cab Franc 12% Merlot.RRP:$130.00 14.5%
Paritua Vineyards & Winery Stone Paddock Chardonnay 2023 Hawke’s Bay NZ
Shiny mid yellow gold in colour, medium viscosity. In the nose, aromas of fresh stone-fruit, bright citrus & a creamy leesy note to finish. The palate is concentrated & juicy with ripe peach / nectarine flavours, a zesty citrus acidity, slightly grippy oak & a creamy lees element. A complex, well balanced wine with a juicy, yet crisp dry finish – delicious, excellent value-for-money Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay.
RRP:$25.00
Paritua Vineyards & Winery ‘Willow’ Chardonnay 2022 Hawke’s Bay NZ
Bright mid lemon-gold in colour, ample bodied with great legs! Really aromatic nose with stone-fruit, green apple, tangerine citrus & subtle fresh baked bread notes. Mouth-filling palate with juicy ripe stone-fruit flavours, mandarin & grape-fruity acid backbone, nutty, creamy lees & fine oak influence adding depth & textural complexity. Long very moreish finish. Fabulous! Selected by Cameron Douglas MS for the Hawke’s Bay Annual Chardonnay Collection Vintage 2022. I love this style of Chardonnay RRP:$40.00
Paritua Vineyards & Winery Stone Paddock, ‘Scarlet’ 2020, Hawke’s Bay NZ
A blend of 56 % Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon & 4% Cabernet Franc
Dark cherry – ruby red in colour lighter at the rim, medium bodied wine. The nose is filled with aromas of dark plums and blackberries, a hint of savoury earth, then warm spicy oak notes follow. On the palate there’s lush dark fruit, juicy dark plums, boysenberry & blackberry flavours, a fresh acidity & grippy, slightly herbaceous tannins rounded out by spicy oak. Long bone-dry finish – punching well above its weight & price point. An excellent tasty red blend drinking beautifully. RRP: $25.00
Paritua Vineyards & Winery Stone Paddock Syrah 2022 Hawke’s Bay NZ
Deep opaque purple in colour with a ruby rim, medium bodied wine. A fragrant & floral nose with aromas of blackberries, raspberries, stewed plum & subtle spice. The palate reflects the nose, with intense flavours of ripe summer berries, red plums, spice, pepper – wonderful velvety tannins, a lively acidity & fine spicy oak influence all in balance – a wee peppery bite on the long dry concentrated finish. RRP: $25.00
Paritua Vineyards & Winery Bridge Pa Syrah 2021 Hawke’s Bay NZ
Semi translucent deep cherry red in colour, light ruby red at the rim. Intense nose with dark cherry & dark berry fruit aromas, warm baking spices then savoury herb & pepper notes. Full bodied palate with lush plum, dark & red berry fruit flavours, wonderful textural elements, with fine powdery tannins, a grippy acidity and subtle oak all adding depth & complexity – persistent dry and mouthwatering finish – a beautifully balanced & elegant Syrah. Just gorgeous. RRP:$50.00
Paritua Vineyards & Winery Red 2020 Hawke’s Bay NZ
A blend of 44% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon & 16% Cabernet Franc
Dark purple / black cherry in colour to the rim, ‘ample bodied’ wine, opaque with great legs staining the glass. Powerful nose with aromas of black doris plum, blackberry, floral notes, a hint of choccy, warm oak spice & a mineral / earthy element. The palate is rich & concentrated with ripe dark berries, blackcurrants, spice, perfectly integrated tannins & acidity supported by fine toasty oak & nice heat from 14.5% abv. The finish is dry, long and very memorable – my favourite wine of the year so far! Outstanding. RRP: $50.00