Harrier Rise Vineyard
Tim Harris, an Auckland lawyer and Metro Magazine columnist, founded Harrier Rise Vineyard in 1986. It was first called Waitakere Road Vineyard and was renamed Harrier Rise Vineyard in 1997.
Harrier Rise Vineyard is set in gently rolling countryside near the township of Kumeu, 27km northwest of Auckland, New Zealand's largest city.
Kumeu is one of New Zealand's oldest wine growing areas and has a maritime climate similar to Bordeaux. Winters are mild and the summer heat is often softened by sea breezes. Harrier Rise Vineyard is in the centre of a basin, protected from cold winds and extremes of climate to ensure a temperate climate and a long growing season.
In soils and climate Kumeu is best suited to red wine. Harrier Rise Vineyard has free draining clay-based soils.
The main vineyard of 12 acres falls gently to the north where a tributary of the Kaipara River dissects the property. 400 metres upstream from the main vineyard is a second vineyard of 3.5 acres of cabernet sauvignon.
Vineyard plantings are much more closely spaced than normal in New Zealand. This, with the low vigour of the soil, allows even and complete ripening of the grapes. The main vineyard is planted with Merlot, cabernet franc and cabernet sauvignon. Most of the vines are 13 years old. The youngest are 10 years old.
Winemaking is by the Bordeaux technique of pumping over during fermentation, followed by a period of maceration to naturally and gently extract character from the grapes.
Contact
Phone: +64 9 4127256
Fax: +64 9 4127256
Postal
Address: 		PO Box 489, Kumeu
Staff
Owner: Tim Harris
Manager: Tim Harris
Producer Details
Opening Hours: Sat-Sun 11am-6pm
Vineyards: 6
Winery Tours: No
Newsletter: No
Sales
Cellar Door: No
Internet: No
Direct Mail: No
Via Retailers: No
Wines from this Producer
Harrier Rise Monza | 2000
Harrier Rise Uppercase | 2000