Passion, family vision and the desire to put that passion into their own label has seen Eileen and Steve Voysey produce Spade Oak Wine and Heart of Gold wines from the central valley region of Gisborne. The Voysey family-owned vineyard specialises in exciting grape varieties and wine styles, capturing their soils, sunshine, passion and labour into aromatic essence and complex flavours designed to make your occasion memorable.

From their own vineyard which is located in the centre of the Gisborne flats, they can proudly lay claim to employing a mix of “old world” traditional techniques with the narrow rows, low fruit zone, natural wild yeast, time and “new world” techniques such as gentle fining, filtration and reductive handling. Combining red and white varieties that are complimented to suit each other, express and explore the potential of the region, is very much in the foreground of their planning.

They have taken varieties from the Burgundy and Champagne regions, Rhone, Austria, Spain and Southern France regions with a focus on new varieties for Gisborne. Current plantings consist of: Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Syrah, Viognier, Petit Mansang, Marsanne, St Laurent, Grüner Veltliner, Tempranillo and Albarino.

It’s a family affair, with their children helping out over vintage and Eileen’s father living right on the property and always keen to lend a helping hand too. The vineyard techniques have provided cost effective methods and environmentally conscious practises which supports their membership to Sustainable Winegrowing NZ. Producing single vineyard wines enables complete control over quality.

To find out more about Spade Oak and Heart of Gold Wines visit their Website, like them on Facebook.