Te Wā Estate wines are made from grapes grown on the  ‘Martinborough Terrace’ which are the freedraining gravels that provide the foundation for great wine. A rain shadow-effect created by the Rimutaka Ranges to the south-west and the Tararua Ranges to the west keeps the region dry.  So the long hot dry summers, cool nights and crisp frosty winters heat and cool the stones, releasing their minerals.  Good winds and low humidity reduces disease risk and the warm autumns ripen fruit beautifully.

This combination of ‘terroir’ and good vineyard management produces a crop that while low yielding, has enhanced fruit intensity.  Martinborough’s long ripening season, with cool night and warm daytime temperatures, slowly builds the complex structures needed to create distinctive Pinot Noir & Merlot and aromatic Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc & Gewürztraminer.