We’re loving the different iterations of Chenin Blanc from the Hawke’s Bay Two Terraces vineyard. This one delivers in spades. It’s exuberant in peach, pineapple, honey and camomile aromatics. It’s richly textured and supple with a pithy, fresh finish. The fruit was handpicked, footstomped and macerated on skins overnight before being pressed for fermentation. It was aged in large format, seasoned oak and stainless steel tank.

This wine is a collaboration spanning generations, between the Three Fates and Gordon Russell. As well as being Holly from Three Fates’ Dad, Gordon was also the legendary winemaker at Esk Valley, who first started making great Chenin in 1991.

The three fates are Holly Girven Russell, Hester Nesbitt and Casey Motley. In another case of old mate COVID causing a change of tack, these three decided to combine their respective wine growing experience, taking on the lease of a Maraekākaho, Hawkes Bay vineyard in 2020. It’s a trio of things we love here at BTB - talented people going out on their own, alternative grape varieties, and wines that are thoughtful, modern expressions of great New Zealand wine regions.