Two Terraces Vineyard

01/06/2026

We were firmly back into vineyard work last week, planting some winter cover crops. These are diverse seed mixes with 13 different species (lots of clovers, phacelia, oats, peas, radish, cereals etc) which help support the soil biome and improve soil health. Different species of plants generate different types of exudates (including carbohydrates) through their roots, which in turn feed different types of microbiology underground. That microbiology (or biome) plays a key role in making nutrients available to the plants including the vines, as well as increasing the overall ecosystem resilience.

Some of the plant species we include in the seed mix persist for multiple seasons which helps carry that beneficial effect on past the first year. Ultimately after 3-4 years though, the grasses start to outcompete the other plants so it’s worth resowing them to keep that biodiversity above and below ground.

Often we plant some of these cover crops in spring, but with the anticipated El Nino weather pattern this year, we’re getting these in early in the hope that we get more regular rainfall and better establishment through winter.

Our old seedbox was working really well, until the temporary weld from three years ago failed! Into town today to get it fixed properly before finishing the job - persistence is everything sometimes! Then we just need some rain - it’s been a dry autumn on the East Coast this year.

30/05/2026

While in Melbourne, we had the pleasure of spending some time with Ed Merrison, the journalist and wine expert behind Vinispo! A very nice piece of relaxed weekend reading from him below - includes his thoughts on the way "place" in our part of the wine world is evolving, as well as reflection on some of the wines he tasted from fruit grown on the Two Terraces vineyard. Reposted from Instagram;

*NEW ARTICLE* [Post-taste] The Diversity Bonus: Two Terraces Vineyard. I find it hard not to get behind New Zealand wine, even if the notion of lumping a country’s wine together as a single entity is ridiculous. Still, the unifying features of fresh, flavourful, sun-lit drinks and the similarly uplifting spirit with which Aotearoa’s wares are promoted—not to mention the spectacular overachievement of an underdog producing 1% of the world’s wine—call me to its cause.

Some of New Zealand’s current challenges are shared by wine producers the world over; others are particular to this country because of the industry’s makeup and phase of maturity. Falling into the latter camp is the juncture at which it finds itself four-odd decades on from the blossoming of the modern industry.
But amid all the difficulties, one beautiful upshot was that I was my guest on episode 38 of the Vininspo! podcast, Stephen Wong MW, called “the rise of the cru”. With those words ringing in my ears, I jumped at the chance to meet Ian and Linda Quinn at a tasting of wines grown on their Two Terraces Vineyard.

I’m glad I did. The experience was uplifting. So were the wines. So, too, I hope, is this latest piece on my Substack.

Click on the link below to read it—and, as ever, if you find even an ounce of value there, please share it with others.
Cheers!

Smith & Sheth Tony Bish Wines Bilancia - Hawke's Bay Wines Amoise Wines Swift Wines Halcyon Days Easthope Family Winegrowers Decibel Wines

With NZ’s wine scene less at a crossroads than backed up merging onto a multi-lane highway, the community-driven cru is a promising path that promotes origin, distinction and quality.

30/05/2026

After we had recorded the previous two interviews and Chris understood a bit more about the vineyard, he realised how key Chardonnay was to us (it makes up half of what we have planned) and was keen to delve into the different selections of Chardonnay we have and why we planted them. This is the final in the series of three - many thanks for the opportunity! Search for “UK Wine Show” in your favourite app, or at https://www.thirtyfifty.co.uk/uk-wine-show-detail.asp?id=856

In the interview, we mentioned the four winemakers that we grow for - Tony Bish, Smith & Sheth, Radburnd Cellars, and Bilancia. If you’re in the UK, you can purchase the full range online and have them carefully shipped to you via Wine Collective Direct at https://www.winecollective.direct/two-terraces

You can also find a couple of the Tony Bish wines mentioned at Majestic in the UK. As mentioned, Heartwood is fermented and aged in a mix of old and new barrels, producing a rich and full-bodied Chardonnay. Golden Egg is fermented in concrete eggs, delivering a real purity of fruit, chalky tannins and a beautiful mineral length. Two very different Chardonnay’s, made from fruit from both the Two Terraces and Kokako Farms vineyards.

Hopefully we’ll have more Chardonnay’s stocked locally in the UK in the future.

If you’re in New Zealand, look out for the new 1066 Chardonnay, made entirely from one of the selections we talked about. In the podcast I mentioned how low yielding this selection is - great to see Bruce and the team get it into bottle!

Tony Bish Wines Smith & Sheth Bilancia - Hawke's Bay Wines Radburnd Cellars Majestic Wine

29/05/2026

Beautiful late autumn weather in Hawke’s Bay - perfect for a quick Friday afternoon trip to the river. And Thursday and Wednesday! A special place (and enjoyed for more practical things too, like chasing a stick and going for a swim).

24/05/2026

Great to see a couple of the Tony Bish Wines that we contribute fruit to being shown (and sold) in the UK!

We’re proud to be pouring in the UK this month at the Susie & Peter NZ Wines of the Year tasting.

On show: Heartwood 2024 and Golden Egg 2024 — two wines that speak to what Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay can do at its best.

What makes this tasting special is the process behind it. Susie Barrie and Peter Richards begin with an elite shortlist, then spend three full days tasting, re-tasting, and debating — refining it down to just over 100 wines.

To make the cut, a wine needs to score 93 points or higher — a serious benchmark by any standard.

And as Peter put it:
“Chardonnay is the most exciting grape variety in NZ right now. On the evidence of this tasting, the best NZ Chardonnays are world beaters.”

We couldn’t agree more.

23/05/2026

Last of the snapshots from the tastings in Melbourne, reposting some of the feedback including and .wine. Back into the vineyard work this week - energised and looking forward to it!

Amoise Wines Decibel Wines Smith & Sheth Swift Wines Three Fates Wine Bilancia - Hawke's Bay Wines Tony Bish Wines Halcyon Days Easthope Family Winegrowers

22/05/2026

We joined the Hawke’s Bay Winegrower’s trade tasting in Melbourne on Tuesday. Held in conjunction with Sommeliers Australia at the Kelvin Club and supported by NZ Winegrowers, it was another great opportunity to meet some of the Australian hospitality community and share our grower vineyard story. We poured a selection of wines targeted at showcasing the varieties we grow, and enjoyed the conversations and questions. Great to have Evie Bish from Tony Bish Wines beside us for the day.

Hawke's Bay Wine also hosted three masterclasses;

✨ Chardonnay —uncover elegance, structure and regional expression with Camdouglasms.com
🍇 Emerging Varietals — explore new frontiers and rising stars with Halcyon Days
🍷 Red Blends — dive into complexity, balance and signature styles with Paritua

Awesome effort by the Masterclass presenters, HBWG, Sommeliers Australia and NZ Winegrowers to share Hawke’s Bay’s story more widely! Impressive array of wines across all three, but thrilled to see the Emerging Varietals sharing a different perspective to reinforce the diversity that Hawke’s Bay brings.

A bonus to also spend some time talking Cam Douglas MS through the wines we were pouring, and to have a look at the seriously impressive Rodd and Gunn Cellar wine bar, and The Lodge restaurant on Little Collins Street - check it out when you’re in Melbourne.

Halcyon Days Three Fates Wine Swift Wines Bilancia - Hawke's Bay Wines Smith & Sheth Amoise Wines Tony Bish Wines

21/05/2026

Some of the lineup in the walk-around at the Two Terraces Masterclass and tasting at Embla on Monday. We haven’t had this varietal lineup shown before - great option for those in the Melbourne trade to get an insight into what Hawke’s Bay and our vineyard have to offer. The walk around tasting featured a wide range of Albariño, Gamay / Pinot Noir and Syrah, along with some of the extra Chardonnay and Chenin we couldn’t fit into the Masterclass flights. Awesome to be able to share these perspectives!

Thanks to Amy, Holly, Lorraine and Evie for their support, along with Cam Burton, Embla themselves, and all of our winemakers who make this possible!

Amoise Wines Decibel Wines Smith & Sheth Swift Wines Three Fates Wine Bilancia - Hawke's Bay Wines Pyramid Valley Vineyards Tony Bish Wines Halcyon Days Easthope Family Winegrowers Radburnd Cellars

21/05/2026

Thanks to everyone who joined us at the Two Terraces Melbourne Masterclass and Tasting at Embla on Monday. It was a real privilege to share our story and the wines our winemaking partners are making from the Two Terraces vineyard. Also great to meet you and get initial insight into the Melbourne hospitality scene (keen to come back!).

Thanks to Amy, Holly, Lorraine and Evie for their support, along with Cam Burton, Embla themselves (beautiful venue), and all of our winemakers who make this possible! More photo’s to follow too.

First photo credit Ed Merrison and thanks Holly for others in the lineup.

Halcyon Days Bilancia - Hawke's Bay Wines Tony Bish Wines Smith & Sheth Radburnd Cellars Amoise Wines Easthope Family Winegrowers Decibel Wines Three Fates Wine