Our Syrah is grown in our Sally’s Field Vineyard inthe Heart of the Red Metal Triangle in Bridge Pa Hastings. The vines are planted at a density of 2314 plants/ha and cover 5.6 ha in total. We grow three clones of Syrah which gives us blending options and complexity in the finished wine. In the three seasons that we have harvested Syrah from this site, each clone has performed differently and as the vines get older the flavours are becoming more complex and full with palate weight and texture improving. This block is irrigated and frost protected with targeted sprinklers to minimise our water use at this critical time of the season. We crop this variety to maintain the natural balance of the vine and the terrior to minimise the requirement for trimming and shoot thinning in the growing season and to allow for optimum ripeness to be obtained. This fruit is hand harvested and only the premium fruit is used for Maimai Creek wines.
Producer
Maimai Creek is the wine label of Stirling Vines Limited of Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand. Stirling Vines is a family run enterprise that began grape growing operations in 1994, supplying grapes to large wineries in New Zealand, primarily Sauvignon Blanc. In early 2002 we made the decision to market a portion of our own fruit under our own label, Maimai Creek. Managed by Mal McLennan, Stirling Vines comprises three vineyards - Stirling and Elgin vineyards located in Meeanee, and, the Sally’s Field vineyard in Bridge Pa, locally known as the ”Ngatarawa Triangle”.
Maimai Creek produces a range of white and red wines from three vineyards in Hawke’s Bay, with Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, and Gewurztraminer being grown in the cooler area of Meeanee, and Chardonnay, Malbec, Merlot, and Syrah being grown in the hotter regions surrounding Hastings.
The name Maimai Creek derives from a small stream that runs along side the eastern boundary of our Meeanee property that we as children named “the creek.” In times of drought this creek was often a source of water for stock and water fowl. At some time in the early 1960’s a maimai (hunting blind) was built and the creek became known as Maimai Creek.
Stirling Vines has expanded it’s grape growing through a combination of planting on available land and through the acquisition of additional land for further planting. At this time Stirling Vines has additional reserves of land available for future expansion of operations.
