2024 Trinity Hill Merlot, Hawkes Bay

Trinity Hill Merlot from Hawke’s Bay is a smooth, supple red that showcases the varietal’s plush fruit and soft tannins, balanced by the freshness and structure that define New Zealand’s best Bordeaux-style reds. Grown in the warm, sun-soaked vineyards of Hawke’s Bay—particularly the famed Gimblett Gravels—this Merlot is generous yet elegant, crafted with care and attention to site expression.

Trinity Hill was founded in the early 1990s by winemaker John Hancock alongside Robert and Robyn Wilson, with a focus on producing premium wines from classic varieties in Hawke’s Bay’s finest subregions. Today, under the guidance of Chief Winemaker Warren Gibson, the estate continues to produce wines that speak clearly of their origins.

The Merlot is made from low-yielding vines grown on stony, free-draining soils that provide warmth and excellent ripening conditions. Fermentation occurs in stainless steel and small open-top fermenters, with gentle extraction and aging in French oak barrels to build complexity and roundness.

In the glass, it delivers classic Merlot charm—aromas of plum, dark cherry, cocoa, and baking spice, with subtle notes of tobacco and graphite. The palate is medium-bodied and silky, with juicy red and black fruit, fine tannins, and a savoury, structured finish that makes it a perfect match for grilled meats, lamb, or mushroom risotto.

Trinity Hill Merlot is an excellent introduction to Hawke’s Bay reds—plush, polished, and full of regional character.