Awards from the vineyard came quickly with grapes grown at the vineyard winning many accolodes. In 1999 youth was not on Peter and Judy’'s side and the family took up a long term lease on the vineyard.
Entrenched with viticulture after working school holidays on the family’ vineyard, daughter Juliet enrolled in study of Viticulture and Winemaking at Lincoln University. Vintages in both the new and old world wineries followed until a neighbouring 12 acre vineyard was purchased in Mere Road in 2005.
Juliet along with husband Phillip now manage the vineyard using organic philosophies and aim to create fine wines that display purity and quality from the soils on which the grapes are grown.
In March 2009 Peter lost his fight with cancer. He passed on his love of viticulture and vast skills and experience as one of the first grape growers in the area. He was extremely proud of the fine wines the vineyard produced.
Behind The Name
The name dark horse draws itself from the Lyons family's long history of growing quality grapes. This name has been relatively unknown to the public and the grapes disguised in many quality reserve wines and numerous accolades and medals. The Lyons reputation is now rising to the surface of New Zealand wines with the emergence of Dark Horse Vineyard. Along with this, the family is associated with equestrian in Hawkes Bay and owns the black horse pictured on the logo.
History
The dream for Dark Horse Vineyard began in 1984 when the Lyons Family purchased 80 acres of land in the area now known as the Gimblett Gravels winegrowing area, an area of stony soils structured from the old Ngaruroro riverbed.
Peter and Judy Lyons establishing Merlot in the mid 1980's on the gravels
Juliet and vineyard dog Biddy enjoying a wine while inspecting the grapes,.
"Wine is sunlight, held together by water!"
- Galileo Gallilei
The vineyard was planted in 2005 by the Lyons family. Vines were planted at close spacings to produce optimal value from the soil and to achieve greater complexity.
The vineyard is located on the stony soils of the old Ngaruroro riverbed, now known as the Gimblett Gravels winegrowing region. Located approximately 200 metres from Fernhill and not far from the current river, the vineyard has its own micro-climate; warmer in spring avoiding frosts and higher temperatures than average in the area, making it the perfect site to produce ultra-premium wines.
Juliet and Phillip's philosophy in the vineyard is to work with environment to produce the highest quality grapes possible and healthily vines. The vines are grown organically to ensure the longevity of the environment and quality of the wines. From 2010 the vineyard has been herbcide free and is a year into conversion to the biogro organic grapegrowing standard.
The vineyard is managed passionately, to the highest standards and all work on the vineyard is by hand. Grapes are cane-pruned, shoot thinned, bunch thinned to achieve instense wines, leaf plucked and bird netted then hand picked at harvest.
Dark Horse Vineyard aims to produce wines derived from nature that reflect the quality of the grapes.
Grapes are hand picking and sorted to ensure high quality.
The purity of the wines are maintained in the wine making process with only grapes and sulphur being added to our wines. No fining agents. tannins or enzymes are used to artificially create characteristics in our wines. Minimal intervention and traditional European winemaking techniques are used to create wines to reflect the characters of our vineyard.
Our wines are enclosed with a diam cork to ensure a quality non tainted seal but the ageing characters of cork are utilised.
The 2007 wines were made by Bruce Helliwell formerly of Unison Vineyard. More recent vintages are being made by winemaker Juliet Lyons
Syrah
Syrah Tasting Notes Cabernet Merlot Tasting Notes
Colour
Bouquet
Palate
The Vintage
Viticulture
Winemaking
Drink
Buy
Deep rich crismon.
Black pepper, mocha and blackberries.
Mouthfuls of spice. This wine displays an elegant stucture and velvety finish. Stuctured with smooth tannins and sweet warm oak. Minerally earthy characters are developing as a result of bottle age.
An extremely warm dry season meant minimal intervention in the vineyard was needed. Grapes were able to be hung on the vines until they were at optimal ripeness.
Soil is comprised of Gimblett Gravels riverbed. Cane pruned, 100% hand leaf plucked, bunch thinned to 1kg per vine.
The hand picked grapes were destemmed and gently crushed. The grapes were hand plunged in open fermenters. The wine went through 100% malolactic fermentation and was aged in 40% new oak for 18 months. The wine was bottled in October 2008 then left to further mature in the bottle.
A purposeful late release means our wines are ready to drink now unill 2015.
RRP $29.95
The Stats
Total Production
Hand picked
Variety
Harvest Date
Sugars
Alcohol
Closure
174 cases
100%
Syrah MS and Chave clones
12 April 2007
23.5 Brix
13.5%
Diam cork
Deep ruby red.
Cassis, redcurrant, blackberries, thyme, tobacco and nuts.
Mouthfuls of blackberries and plum. This wine displays great structure through the palate with fine tannins intergrated into the fruit. Barrel ageing has contributed to spices, leathery and nutty characters of this complex wine.
The hand picked grapes were destemmed and gently crushed. The grapes were hand plunged in open fermenters. The wine went through 100% malolactic fermentation and was aged in 40% new french oak for 18 months. The wine was bottled in October 2008 then left to further mature in the bottle.
This wine is at optimal drinking from now, 2010 until to 2015
Varieties
220 Cases
Cabernet Sauvignon Clone 10 - 57%
Merlot BDX 481 - 43%
Merlot - 11 April 2007
Cabernet Sauvignon - 24 April 2007
Cabernet Sauvignon - 26.1 Brix
Merlot - 24.6 Brix
14.7%
Diam Cork
CUISINE March 2011
Dark Horse Vineyard feautures as the wine match for "a matter of taste"
Dark Horse Vineyard Goes Green August 2010
Dark Horse Vineyard is now accredited as a sustainable vineyard under Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand. This accreditation recognises our integrity to protect New Zealand's environment.
CUISINE July 2010
Dark Horse Vineyard features in 'Wines for a new World' .
VINTAGE 2010
Our 2010 wines have now finished ferment and are in barrel. We are looking forward to the release of an additional wine, the Viognier 2010.
It is looking fanastic at this stage.
DISH MAGAZINE June 2010
Dark Horse Vineyard receives praise from Dish Magazine Wine Editor, Yvonne Lorkin
"...The proof is in the wine, which is ripe, ready and raring to go... In addition to their Cab Merlot, a sensational Syrah is on its way."
WINE ORBIT May 2010
Praise for the 2007 Gimblett Gravels Cabernet Merlot 4.5 stars and 91 points from senior wine judge, Sam King.
" From the Gimblett Gravels district, this vibrant red displays red/black plum, dried herb and subtle spicy oak characters on the nose. A beautifully balanced and structured red, looking youthful at this stage, with potential to develop greater complexity. "
Where to Buy
Bacchus Cellars - Remuera, Auckland
Blend Winestore - Herne Bay, Auckland
Caro's Wine Merchants - Parnell, Auckland
Grapes Liquor Centre - Greenlane, Auckland
La Vino - Ponsonby, Auckland
Milford Cellars - Rodney, Auckland
Millar & Co - St Heliers, Auckland
Primo Vino - Hamilton
Bellatino's - Havelock North
Chantal Wholefoods - Napier
Central City Wines and Spirits - Wellington
Wineseeker - Wellington Rumbles Wine Merchant - Wellington
Trade / Wholesale Enquires and orders:
info_darkhorsevineyard.co.nz
Checkout
Gimblett Gravels Syrah 2007
$0
Cabernet Merlot 2007
Gimblett Gravels Cabernet Merlot 2007 750ml bottle
Syrah 2007 12Pk Case
A 12pk case of Gimblett Gravels Syrah 2007
$319
Cabernet Merlot 2007 12Pk Case
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