The Place

Contour

Cold winds at bud burst and flowering will effect crop levels and induce ‘hen-and-chicken’ bunch formation, so orientation away from the southwest winds is essential on Waihehe. The Hay Paddock sits in a valley surrounded by hills on all sides. Vines are oriented north and south, catching the first and last of the day’s sun while being protected from the full strength of summer’s northeast storms. This protection allows the late autumn canopy (above left) to stay on the vines well into June.


Drainage away from the root zone in the event of high rainfall events, particularly near harvest, is essential, so row orientation falls away to the valley floor allowing rapid run-off