Planted in our Stirling vineyard in 1994 on 2.7mt row spacings and 2.0 m plant spacing give us 1851 plants per ha.
We are cropping these vines at 11 tonnes per ha which is in balance with the soil and environment. A crop load less than 11 tonne and the vines would tend towards the vegetative state producing a wine style displaying green and herbal notes and a progressively lighter yields due to shading . Any more crop load and the wines would lack fruit intensity and varietal character. The first spring buds appeared in late September after the last of the winter frosts and the growing part of the season so far has produced us good conditions with the vines being in excellent condition. Our disease monitoring has revealed that our early season fungicide program has left the vineyard clean of any powdery mildew or Botrytis despite the wetter than normal spring and our insect traps have again told us that there is no need for insecticide use.
Producer
Maimai Creek is the wine label of Stirling Vines Limited of Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand. Stirling Vines is a family run enterprise that began grape growing operations in 1994, supplying grapes to large wineries in New Zealand, primarily Sauvignon Blanc. In early 2002 we made the decision to market a portion of our own fruit under our own label, Maimai Creek. Managed by Mal McLennan, Stirling Vines comprises three vineyards - Stirling and Elgin vineyards located in Meeanee, and, the Sally’s Field vineyard in Bridge Pa, locally known as the ”Ngatarawa Triangle”.
Maimai Creek produces a range of white and red wines from three vineyards in Hawke’s Bay, with Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, and Gewurztraminer being grown in the cooler area of Meeanee, and Chardonnay, Malbec, Merlot, and Syrah being grown in the hotter regions surrounding Hastings.
The name Maimai Creek derives from a small stream that runs along side the eastern boundary of our Meeanee property that we as children named “the creek.” In times of drought this creek was often a source of water for stock and water fowl. At some time in the early 1960’s a maimai (hunting blind) was built and the creek became known as Maimai Creek.
Stirling Vines has expanded it’s grape growing through a combination of planting on available land and through the acquisition of additional land for further planting. At this time Stirling Vines has additional reserves of land available for future expansion of operations.
