Our passion for growing and creating exceptional single vineyard wines, complete from vine to bottle, starts with the vineyard.

In pursuit of finding the perfect terroir, winemaker Pieter Koopman discovered our idyllic forty-acre site of gently rolling hills, located in Hawkes Bay at the edge of the Heretaunga plains. Its north facing limestone slopes bask in abundant sunlight and warmth and the panoramic views sweep across the plains from the Ranges to Te Mata Peak, providing an idyllic site for our family-owned Estate to consistently produce fruit of optimum ripeness and flavour.

Originally planted in a variety of olives by Eddie Hope in the 1980’s, the Koopmans decided to retain the “Old Olive Block” and continue producing the award winning olive oil, ‘HopesGrove’. Pieter’s establishment of the vineyard in 2006 integrated Burgundy and northern Rhone varietals, rootstocks, and clones, selectively matched to the property’s site-specific microclimates, and in 2009 he crafted the first vintage of HopesGrove wines. They are made exclusively from our Estate grown, hand harvested fruit, reflecting our philosophy that ‘less is more’, and that wine should reveal a pure expression of its unique terroir.

Carefully chosen varietals, rootstocks & clones have been matched to the site-specific microclimate in an effort to compliment & enhance these wines. The comprehensive, hands-on vineyard care ensures a balanced canopy with low yield, high quality fruit, providing winemaker Pieter Koopman with a solid base from which he creates these exceptional wines of outstanding quality.

Syrah plantings are 100% heritage clone (also known as MS or Limmer). Fairly dense plantings coupled with the natural exposure that comes with hillside locations, ensures naturally lower yielding vines. The VSP trellising require only light top and side trimming and a 50% morning side leaf plucking in the fruiting zone to allow first light into to the bunches. Hand picking and gentle destemming ensure this special fruit reaches the fermenter in immaculate condition.

Our Chardonnay plantings are slightly less dense, allowing for a bit more air movement and light. Yields are also quite low, with a similar canopy treatment to the Syrah. Hand picking and then immediate whole bunch pressing ensure fresh pristine chardonnay juice which is then put directly to barrel for fermentation.