"A rich, red-coloured wine with violet hues, redolent of plums and cherries. Round in the mouth with a touch of truffle and vanilla."

--------THE PRODUCER--------

Maimai Creek

Maimai 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. Managed by Mal McLennan, Stirling Vines comprises two vineyards - Stirling vineyard located in Meeanee, and, the Sally's Field vineyard in Bridge Pa. Maimai produces a range of white and red wines from two vineyards in Hawke’s Bay, with Sauvignon Blanc 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 is derived from a small stream that used to run along side of 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 its grape growing through a combination of planting on available land and through the acquisition of additional land for further planting.

--------THE GRAPE--------

Malbec

This is the the second most famous red variety from the famous Bordeaux region. Often blended to Cabernet Sauvignon to soften that variety and fill the mid-palate. This wine, from the wonderful 2013 vintage, is drinking very well now and is showing structure and complexity which is quite rare in a wine made 100% from this variety.

--------THE REGION--------

The Hawke's Bay

Hawke’s Bay is regarded as one of the warmer districts in New Zealand for wine growing, however, by world standards it is still considered a cool climate for varieties such a Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Hawke's Bay has developed a reputation for producing rich and elegant red wines, full flavoured and creamy chardonnays and aromatics with ripe tropical fruit characters. There are several sub regions within Hawke’s Bay that range from cooler coastal areas at Bay View, Meeanee, and Te Awanga, to the hot inland stoney regions of Gimblett Gravels and Bridge Pa, through to river terraces alongside one of the three rivers that flow through and have help create the Heretaunga plains.

The strength of Hawke’s Bay as a wine growing region is its diversity. Under the overarching warm and dry macro climate are the cooler coastal sub regions - influenced by the sea breezes that keep the vine canopies cool and allow for long slow ripening periods that let the grapes pick up a maximum range of flavours through each varietal spectrum. The hot and dry inland areas of Gimblett Gravels and Bridge Pa with their stony soils allow for growers to get maximum ripeness from varieties that have evolved in the continental climates of Europe but have found a home here and thrive.

River terraces are prominent throughout this region and have greatly influenced the alluvial soils of the Heretaunga plains. Regarded as the fruit bowl of New Zealand, the Heretaunga Plains offers all horticulturists in the region with the variety that can be seen with wine growing. Pip fruit, stone fruit, berry fruit, kiwi fruit and vegetable growing are all prominent in this region, where the soils and micro climate suits, and wine growing is no exception.

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