Stonecroft, Gimblett Gravels, Reserve, Hawke's Bay, 2013

Stonecroft founder, Allan Limmer was the founding father of Syrah in New Zealand after establishing the country’s first commercial vineyard in 1982, so it is fitting that a Stonecroft wine won an Outstanding rating here. Limmer was also an early pioneer and tireless promoter of the Gimblett Gravels sub-region. He has retired now but new owners Dermot McCollum and Andria Monin continue a tradition of making high-quality, hand-crafted wines from the winery’s excellent vineyard site. Old vines certainly made a contribution, with 25% from the original vineyard planted in 1983 and the balance from another planted in 1992.