ESK VALLEY

Motoring south on Highway 5 from Taupo to Napier, the first sign that you have reached Hawkes Bay wine country is the wel-coming sight of rows of vineyards lining the roads through Eskdale and on to Bay View. Tucked into the hillside is Esk Valley Estate, regarded as one of the best boutique producers in the country. The original winery was established in 1933 by Robert Bird, and under the management of two successive generations it grew to become a major player.
Despite extensive upgrading, the strong buildings at its heart have been retained, including the 85-year-old concrete, open-top fermentation tanks.
Appointed in 1993, the award-winning winemaker, Gordon Russell, has seriously elevated Esk Valley’s status, with a ‘Winemaker of the Year’ title firmly under his belt. The winery produces some of the finest reds in the country, and in recent years has built a strong reputation for its unique white wines.

Gordon Russell has established himself as one of New Zealand's most recognised winemaking identities with his passionate approach to winemaking, and the enormous success he has achieved with his wines in tastings and competitions. Gordon was born in New Plymouth, New Zealand. Following University, Gordon's desire to travel took him to England and Europe for three years. Gordon had always been interested in different flavours and trying new foods, and during his time abroad he also developed an appreciation for fine wine. In 1986 Gordon returned to New Zealand, just when the wine styles for which New Zealand has become highly regarded were beginning to emerge. Gordon was appointed as Esk Valley winemaker in 1993, after working for Villa Maria in Auckland as a cellar hand from 1987 and then as assistant winemaker to Grant Edmonds at Esk Valley from 1990. Gordon believes that the concept of 'texture' in a wine is as important as the aromas and flavours of the wine. By 'texture' he means the balance and harmony of the wine, together with complexity and palate interest. He aims to produce premium hand-crafted wines that are both elegant and sophisticated, and which truly reflect the character of the individual vineyards.