Church Road 1 Syrah

This fabulous Church Road 1 is a well-structured, supple and full bodied Syrah. It is built around a core of brambly, dark berry fruit, carrying lifted aromatic notes of violet, lavender and warm spice. It is complemented by underlying complexities redolent of new leather and smoky roasted notes, with subtle undertones of toasted oak and a minerality typical of this vineyard. The palate is fine and long with a polished tannin structure and gentle mid-palate flesh combining to produce a very even and seamless mouthfeel.

• Winery: Church Road Winery
• Varietal: Syrah
• Region: Hawke's Bay, New Zealand
• Vintage: 2021
• Alcohol: 13%
• Volume: 750ml
• Closure: Screwcap
• Food match: Lamb roast, beef, game meat, pork & pepperoni; tuna & salmon; pizza; BBQ & heavy red sauces; bleu-veined cheeses

Church Road 1 is a range of single vineyard wines that showcase the terroir of Church Road's best vineyards. Situated in the Bridge Pa Triangle Wine Growing District, their Redstone Vineyard is one of the warmest in Hawke’s Bay, perfect for the cultivation of later ripening varieties. This site typically produces ripe, supple and very aromatic Syrah with an amalgam of red and black fruit and lifted floral fragrance.

Church Road in Taradale has a rich and storied past, its foundations laid in 1897 by the visionary ex-Marist Brother, Bartholomew Steinmetz. When he returned to his native Luxembourg in the 1920s, he entrusted the fledgling winery to the hands of a young yet ambitious 19-year-old—Tom McDonald. Today, his name is legendary. Initially leasing the winery before securing ownership in 1936, Tom was a pioneer, driven by an unwavering passion for excellence. In 1949, he crafted New Zealand’s very first commercial Cabernet Sauvignon, a wine that became an icon of the 1960s and set an enduring benchmark for premium red wines in the country. A true visionary ahead of his time, Tom’s dedication to winemaking remains deeply woven into the fabric of this historic estate.

Under new stewardship, a major renovation in 1989 was undertaken with a singular mission—to restore Church Road’s place as a producer of boutique-style, quality-driven wines. Today, the winery thrives under the expert guidance of Chris Scott, who has been part of its journey since 1998. The winemaking team, drawing from some of Hawke’s Bay’s finest vineyard sites, continues to create wines of remarkable character, delivering both excellence and value at every level. A tradition of passion and innovation lives on, ensuring that every bottle tells a story of heritage, craftsmanship, and a deep love for the art of winemaking.

• 97/100 Points - Sam Kim, Wine Orbit (2021 vintage)
• Gold - 2023 Global Syrah Masters (2021 vintage)
• 5 Stars - The Real Review (2021 vintage)
• 96/100 Points - Cameron Douglas (2021 vintage)