The brightest, boldest cellar door in Hawke’s Bay – Swift Wines is open! – Hues of candy cane pink, a yellow striped wall and minty fresh bar stools. Swift Wines is Hawke’s Bay’s newest cellar door and it’s already causing a sensation.
Located in Mere Road, Fernhill, the tasting room marks a significant expansion for owner Lauren Swift, who established her eponymous wine brand in 2016. “It’s been a great start for us,” begins Lauren, who flung open the doors during Labour Weekend. “We’ve had heaps of people coming to visit, check out our garden and sample the wines. The feedback has been fantastic – they’re loving the vibrant, sunshiny vibes out here!”
Operating from 11am, six days a week through summer, Swift Wines’ cellar door features a pick-your-own-platter experience, where visitors can purchase delicious cheeses, cured meats, olives and kid-friendly snacks from the fridge. To taste, there are six of Swift Wines’ new generation styles, including a delicious Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay, modern Syrah and Lauren’s two sparklings – Marceline, and Pipi. The latter, just released, is one of New Zealand’s very first sparkling Albarinos and pairs beautifully with seafood, showcasing lemon, minerality and floral characteristics. “We only produced 1500 bottles and they’re flying out the door for summer,” says Lauren.
The winemaker, who runs her business alongside husband Henry Williams, was crowned the inaugural New Zealand Young Winemaker of the Year in 2015, using her prize money to invest into making Syrah that launched Swift Wines in 2018. “I don’t follow any particular ‘recipe’ when creating my wines,” Lauren says. “I much prefer to use my intuition and take inspiration from what I’ve experienced while working and travelling the world.”
Sourcing some of her fruit from the iconic Two Terraces vineyard and the bulk from Abbey Winery in Bridge Pa, Lauren says she enjoys partnering with smaller vineyards and forming lasting relationships with each one. She’s also committed to minimal intervention wherever possible. “Our Chardonnay, for instance, is pressed straight to the barrel, and then each barrel is treated individually, throughout fermentation and aging until blending a year later.”
Outside of her own wine label, Lauren and Henry run Custom Crush, a contract winemaking business, and have two young sons.
“It’s exciting to open a cellar door for Swift,” says Lauren, “and introduce a fun, accessible, bricks and mortar element to our brand. It’s a super important way to get to know customers, and for them to enjoy themselves – regardless of whether they’re familiar with our wines or not.”
The cellar door charges an $18 tasting fee, refunded on the purchase of two bottles. Dogs are also very welcome at the Swift Wines cellar door. Swift Wines | 121 Mere Road, Fernhill | Open from 11am, six days a week.
“You can’t buy happiness, but you can buy wine.
And that’s kind of the same thing.“
https://www.swiftwines.co.nz
