New wine producer Maxim Wines is on the Pig’s Back

Maxim Wines is a new wine producer in Hawke’s Bay, owned by husband and wife, Darragh and Charlotte Hughes. They make small batches of handcrafted wines and have a particular passion for Hawke’s Bay Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay and Syrah.

Maxim Chenin Blanc

Maxim Wines source their fruit from carefully selected sites and growers in Hawke’s Bay. Their winemaking approach is gentle, with minimal handling and additions.

Winemaking is crafted by Darragh, who is a winemaker at Hawke’s Bay Wine Company. The Maxim Wines brand was created to make wines that are an honest expression of where they’re from and how they’re made, “wines that speak the truth”. Each wine produced has a maxim on the label that speaks to how the wine came about.

Darragh checking in on grapes pre-harvest .

Darragh and Charlotte also produce wine under another brand, Pig’s Back. The name comes from an old Irish saying, to be on the pig’s back, meaning to be in luck and in fine form. The brand was created to make small batches of wines that are fun, interesting and a little bit different. Grapes are sourced from selected sites and growers in Hawke’s Bay and further afield when Darragh finds fruit that he likes.

Pig’s Back Albarino and Sauvignon Blanc

2016 is the first vintage for Maxim Wines. They have bottled a Chenin Blanc and will bottle a Syrah later in the year. Pig’s Back 2016 wines include an Albariño, Sauvignon Blanc and a Chardonnay (to be bottled mid-year).

For more, follow facebook.com/maximwines and @maximwines on Instagram.

Purchase Maxim Wines at Regional Wines & Spirits Wellington regionalwines.co.nz

Purchase Pig’s Back at Scenic Cellars Taupo sceniccellars.co.nz

For enquiries, email charlotte@maximwines.nz – Their website will be up and running soon so watch this space.

JB’s notes on the wines

Maxim Wines Chenin Blanc: Straw gold in colour, with sweet green apple & stone fruit notes in the nose, lovely green apple acidity, rich slightly creamy mouthfeel on the palate with a very long tasty finish. 12.5% Abv RRP $28.50

Pig’s Back Albarino: Soft lemon gold coloured in the glass, softly perfumed nose, slight saltiness, with stonefruit, green apple flavours and lovely palate weight, long mouthfilling finish. RRP 13.5% Abv $22.50

Pig’s Back Sauvignon Blanc: Pale lemon / lime coloured in the glass, with lemons, limes, grassy and tropical notes in the nose. On the palate it’s juicy and fresh with a citrus – grapefruit acidity, and passionfruit on the finish. 13.5% Abv $22.50

Three great wines for the start of the Maxim / Pig’s Back portfolio. Looking forward to the Syrah and Chardonnay! Well done guys!