Address: 50 Clifton Rd, Te Awanga, Hawkes Bay or C/o Roosters Brew House, R.D.5, 1470 Omahu Road, Hastings, Hawkes Bay
Region: Hawke's Bay
Size: Small
2004 CQI: 5.00 out of 5 (1 review)+1.5
Exported to US: No
Neighboring properties in Te Awanga: Clearview Estate Winery and Kim Crawford.
Nearby wineries at Gimblett Road: C.J. Pask, Ngatarawa Wines, Sileni.
This is a small winery that you won't find outside of New Zealand. The winemakers are Chris and Jill Harrison, graduates in winemaking from Roseworthy College in Australia. After stints in France and with some of the larger producers in New Zealand, they opened Roosters Brewhouse in Hastings. Chris's parents, Ralph and Philipa Harrison, sold their farm and moved to Te Awanga, overlooking Hawke's Bay. The white varietals are grown on Ralph's property in Te Awanga and the red varietals are grown on lots in the Gimblett Gravels area.
Editorial Comment: I acknowledge that I have a preference for the smaller owner/winemaker labels that commit themselves with a passion for making high quality wine. Beach House Wines is a family operation committed to quality wine.
I had the opportunity to visit Beach House in June, 2001. Ralph and Philipa operate a B & B at Te Awanga, The Levels Vineyard Stay. It was a very enjoyable evening with a gourment meal, Beach House wines and hours of conversation. Wake up early for the sunrise coming up over Hawke's Bay. My favorite was the Beach House Chardonnay. It was a wine of tremendous balance and I used one of my limited suit-case slots to bring home a bottle. The Riesling was also a classic for the variety. I am happy to note that I listed Beach House Chardonnay as one of my top ten whites and that has been echoed by the May 2002 issue of Cuisine Magazine.
The Wines: