Village Vineyards

Village Vineyards is a family-run organic winery in Havelock North, Hawke's Bay, set at the foot of Te Mata Peak. The Evans family has deep roots in the area: Dai and Jenny established Village Orchard in 1981, and after small-scale orcharding became unsustainable they bought a vineyard in 2019. Their son Rhys, who had worked harvests and vintages in France, South Africa, and Canada, returned home to become winemaker and grape grower. The two-hectare block is planted to Chardonnay (Mendoza, CL15, and CL95 clones), Merlot, and Syrah, with 20- to 30-year-old vines rooted in loam-clay over limestone. Certified organic to Biogro standards since 2023, the vineyard is farmed by hand without cultivation, using biodynamic preparations and winter grazing to maintain soil health. In the winery, Rhys works mostly with wild yeasts from vineyard starters, little to no filtration, and no animal products. The range includes Chardonnay, Merlot, Syrah, rosé, and Pét-nat, plus a lighter piquette made from rehydrated Syrah skins. Visitors can taste at the cellar door on Te Mata Road, where group tastings for six or more are available by appointment, and the venue hosts weddings and private functions with views of Te Mata Peak and the Tuki Tuki hills.

Written by Ava from public sources. Not written or reviewed by the winery.