Our Suppliers
We have been growing grapes at Heron’s Flight Vineyard in Matakana since 1987, but due to the popularity of the grape juice, we needed to find some grapes elsewhere to supplement our own. Heron’s Flight is a relatively small vineyard, and we need most of our grapes for making into wine!
After looking long and hard for the right vineyard, we found Barry Hoy’s vineyard in the Hawke’s Bay; Esk Valley Vines (right across the road from Esk Valley Winery, but a separate vineyard). Barry is a no nonsense fellow, and has been growing grapes in Esk Valley for years now. He has established a reputation for being fastidious in the vineyard, and producing very high quality grapes – which he sells to wineries around New Zealand for making into wine. When Luke first approached him, Barry was curious about what exactly we planned to do with his grapes. “We’re not making them into wine Barry”, Luke explained, “instead we want to use them to produce a grape juice that is made with wine grapes. It is unfermented, and non – alcoholic.”
After asking a few more questions, Barry thought about it for a while, then looked at Luke and said; “I’m very fussy about my grapes Luke, and I like to see them go to a good home. I like the cut of your jib mate, and I think we can do business together!” Since then, Luke and Barry have been as thick as thieves, and Barry is excited to be part of the Heron’s Flight Grape Juice story.
Barry currently supplies Heron’s Flight with his Merlot grapes, but he also grows several other varieties, and in the future we want to experiment with making juice from some of his other grapes – starting with his Sauvignon Blanc next vintage…. So watch this space!
We will also continue to make a percentage of the grapes that we grow at Heron’s Flight Vineyard in Matakana into grape juice – primarily our Sangiovese. Over the years, Mary and David have learned how to get the most out of their land, and will continue to offer a range of products produced with estate grown fruit and vegetables.
Open only for special events, one of the best times to visit Heron’s Flight Vineyard is during one of our famous ‘Fill Your Own Bottle’ days. These happen several times a year, and you are welcome to bring your own empty wine bottles along to fill up with wine directly from the tanks in Heron’s Flight Winery! We can supply you with corks, or you can re-use your screw caps – it is a very fun activity for the entire family. If you are interested in hearing more about Heron’s Flight Vineyard’s activities, please sign up to our newsletter by following the link on the right of this page.
