Wine and Vineyard


Our Vintages:

view east waiheke syrah 2010 Reserve Available for sale, case sales free delivery within New Zealand, see wine notes below
view east waiheke syrah 2010 Available for sale, case sales free delivery within New Zealand, see wine notes below
view east waiheke syrah 2009 Available for sale, case sales free delivery within New Zealand, see wine notes below
view east waiheke syrah 2008 Limited stock remain for release at a later date
view east waiheke syrah 2007 Limited stocks avaliable for purchase at our Tasting Room only
view east waiheke syrah 2006 Sold Out
view east waiheke syrah 2005 Sold Out


Establishment of the vineyard started in 2001. In May the first poles and wires were installed and in June we collected the first rootstock canes – which after a period of chilling in a fridge were planted over July and August. 

A variety of rootstock was sourced to match site conditions. The predominant rootstock throughout the vineyard is 101-14. 101-14 Mgt was produced by Millardet and De Grasset in France. It has become the most widely used rootstock in New Zealand. This rootstock induces moderate vigor in scions and is resistant to phylloxera,
In 2001 a total of 2 289 canes were planted into weedmat (acts as a mulch), each with a fertiliser tablet and water retentive crystals, no irrigation is used on our vineyard. The rootstock was planted in the areas now known as the ‘ridge block’ and the ‘bottom block’. 

In 2002 the rootstock from 2001 was pruned and an additional 1000 plus, 101-14 rootstock canes were planted. This year as well as planting rootstock we planted 300 grafted Syrah plants in the area called the ‘shed blocks’. The grafted plants were a Syrah called Chave on 101-14 rootstock supplied by Corbans Viticulture. 

The Chave vineyards in the Northern Rhone are well known for their Hermitage wines which are made from Syrah. Jean-Louis Chave is one of the top winemakers of the Rhone Valley in France. 

In July 2003 the rootstock was pruned in preparation for field grafting and a further block, the ‘road block’, of rootstock was planted. For this block of rootstock we used canes pruned from our own vines. 

In August we pruned and collected scion wood (bud wood) for grafting. This has been the process for establishing the vineyard over the last few years with 2008 seeing almost the entire vineyard either grafted or planted with pre-grafted plants. 

Our boutique vineyard is approx. one hectare of grapes, all Syrah made up of six blocks:

In each block the grapes have been orientated for the best aspect in terms of sun while being mindful of the contour of the land and ability to mow and spray the vines. We are in the process of  becoming certified as a sustainable vineyard. 

Syrah
Being a small boutique vineyard we only grow one grape variety which is Syrah. 

Syrah – Shiraz
It is called Syrah in its country of origin, France, as well as in the rest of Europe, Argentina, Chile, Uruguay , and most of the United States. The name Shiraz became popular for this grape variety in Australia, where it has long been established as the most grown dark-skinned variety. The name Shiraz for this grape variety is also commonly used in South Africa and Canada. DNA profiling in 1999 found Syrah to be the offspring of two obscure grape varieties from southeastern France, Dureza and Mondeuse Blanche.
The grape is also known under many other synonyms that are used in various parts of the world including Antourenein Noir, Balsamina, Candive, Entournerein, Hignin Noir, Marsanne Noir, Schiras, Sirac, Syra, Syrac, Serine, and Sereine.
Read more about the interesting history of Syrah and the legends associated with the name shiraz.

Today
Syrah continues to be the main grape of the Northern Rhône and is associated with classic wines such as Hermitage, St Joeseph, Cornas and Côte-Rôtie. Although its best incarnations will age for decades, less-extracted styles may be enjoyed young for their lively red and blueberry characters and smooth tannin structure. From the 1970s and even more from the 1990s, Syrah has enjoyed increased popularity, and plantings of the variety have expanded significantly in both old and new locations. In the early 2000s, it broke into the top 10 of varieties planted worldwide for the first time. 

Taste and Flavours
Wines made from Syrah are often quite powerfully flavoured and full-bodied. The variety produces wines with a wide range of flavour notes, depending on the climate and soils where it is grown, as well as other viticultural practices chosen.
Aroma characters can range from violets to berries (usually dark as opposed to red), chocolate, espresso and black pepper. No one aroma can be called ‘typical’ though blackberry and pepper are often noticed. With time in the bottle these ‘primary’ notes are moderated and then supplemented with earthy or savory ‘tertiary’ notes such as leather and truffle. ‘Secondary’ flavour and aroma notes are those associated with several things, including winemakers' practices (such as oak barrel and yeast regimes), and land terroir qualities. 

Wine making: Syrah
We believe as do many others in the industry, that winemaking is as much about growing the grapes as it is the process after harvest, together it is an integral process. To enable the winemaker to craft a great wine, the quality of the grapes and the processes in the vineyard must be of the highest standard. It is important to us to grow wine in a sustainable manner.
Our philosophy is to minimise the need for sprays by appropriate and timely vineyard management practices and our goal is to eventually move to organic production.
We predominantly use protective sprays which are certified organic products. The vines are hand tendered with shoot thinning, leaf plucking and removal of laterals in the fruit zone. We use a VSP, vertical shoot positioning trellis system and cane prune to two fruiting canes and two spurs on a single fruiting wire.
The vines are planted at one metre spacings to promote root competition to control vigour. Row width varies from 1.8 to 2.2 metres depending on aspect and contour. The grapes are netted for protection from birds and are hand harvested after selective hand thinning for bunch quality. 

view east waiheke syrah 2010 Reserve

Variety Syrah
Vintage 2010 Reserve
Region Waiheke Island, New Zealand
Grapes at Harvest 26.6º Brix, pH 3.62, TA 6.45
Wine Style This smooth elegant syrah displays complex aromas of rich, dark berry fruit, mocha chocolate and a suggestion of mint. The soft, full palate exhibits ripe plum and rich berry flaours, complemented by vanilla, white pepper and subtle oak. Enjoyable upon release, this wine will reward careful cellaring for at least a further seven years.
Vineyard The View East vineyard is located at the Eastern end of Waiheke Island. Low yielding vines are planted on a steep, sun-drenched hillside slope which provides free-draining conditions. This environment ensures the fruit ripens successfully, while the maritime winds help to cool the berries at night, and preserve the more subtle aromas. The vineyard is managed by hand, using long-established techniques of leaf plucking, shoot thinning and fruit thinning.
Winemaking The fruit was hand-harvested, de-stemmed, and lightly crushed into open top fermenters. After cold soaking for several days, the fruit was fermented with hand-plunging of the cap to allow for the gentle extraction of colour and supple tannin. Following fermentation the skins were lightly pressed, and the wine was run into French oak barriques for maturation of approximately twelve months.

view east waiheke syrah 2010

Variety Syrah
Vintage 2010
Region Waiheke Island, New Zealand
Grapes at Harvest 26.9º Brix, pH 3.58, TA 6 
Wine Style Our 2010 syrah has a rich aromatic character of plums, cassis and hints of cigar box. The generous palate of dark fruits is enhanced by spicy pepper and toasty oak. Enjoyable upon release, this wine will reward careful cellaring fo at least a futher five years.
Vineyard The View East vineyard is located at the Eastern end of Waiheke Island. Low yielding vines are planted on a steep, sun-drenched hillside slope which provides free-draining conditions. This environment ensures the fruit ripens successfully, while the maritime winds help to cool the berries at night, and preserve the more subtle aromas. The vineyard is managed by hand, using long-established techniques of leaf plucking, shoot thinning and fruit thinning.
Winemaking The fruit was hand-harvested, de-stemmed, and lightly crushed into open top fermenters. After cold soaking for several days, the fruit was fermented with hand-plunging of the cap to allow for the gentle extraction of colour and supple tannin. Following fermentation the skins were lightly pressed, and the wine was run into French, East European and American oak barriques for maturation of approximately twelve months.

view east waiheke syrah 2009

Variety Syrah
Vintage 2009
Region Waiheke Island, New Zealand
Grapes at Harvest 23.5º Brix, pH 3.63, TA 7.4
Wine Style An elegant Syrah displaying fragrant aromas and rich flavours. The nose exudes wild berryfruit with hints of liquorice and spice. The palate is equally as generous as the deep colour suggests - warm plum and berry flavours are complimented by vanilla and toasty oak. Fruit density is lifted by just a touch of natural acidity, and forgiving tannins complete the supple structure. Enjoyable upon release, this wine can be cellared for a further 4 - 5 years.
Vineyard The View East vineyard is located at the Eastern end of Waiheke Island. Low yielding vines are planted on a steep, sun-drenched hillside slope which provides free-draining conditions. This environment ensures the fruit ripens successfully, while the maritime winds help to cool the berries at night, and preserve the more subtle aromas. The vineyard is managed by hand, using long-established techniques of leaf plucking, shoot thinning and fruit thinning.
Winemaking The fruit was hand-harvested, de-stemmed, and lightly crushed into open top fermenters. After cold soaking for several days, the fruit was fermented with hand-plunging of the cap to allow for the gentle extraction of colour and supple tannin. Following a brief period of post-ferment maceration, the skins were lightly pressed, and the wine and run into American oak barriques for maturation of approximately ten months.

view east waiheke chardonnay 2008

Variety Chardonnay
Vintage 2008
Region Waiheke Island, New Zealand
Wine Style An elegant Chardonnay possessing a refined, yet substantial flavour profile.
Vineyard A selection of four Chardonnay clones are grown on the sun-drenched slopes of Waiheke Island. The maritime climate provides ideal ripening conditions for flavoursome grapes. The vineyards are low-yielding, and managed using traditional techniques such as hand shoot thinning and leaf plucking.
Winemaking Each batch is hand-harvested, and immediately whole bunch pressed. The juice is cold-settled, and then racked to a combination of stainless steel and French oak barriques for fermentation. This allows for both aromatic intensity and oak complexity. The wine underwent a maturation of 10 months in the same vessels, with regular lees stirring to impart further texture to the palate.
Appearance Light straw in colour.
Bouquet Citrus and stonefruit aromas are complemented by a nutty complexity.
Palate The well-textured palate displays white peach and pineapple characters, followed by biscuit flavours and a mineral flintiness. Toasty oak adds structure, while a touch of acidity provides lift, and ensures this wine will age gracefully.
Cellaring Great drinking now and over the next 3-5 years.
Technical Analysis  
Brix at Harvest: 22.6 – 24.1

Alcohol:

14.5%
Residual Sugar: 2.4g/L
Titratable Acidity: 6.8g/L
pH: 3.37