Our Albariño wines reflect the passion and care of our innovative and dedicated grape growers.
The Growers
The Albariño Brothers knew they needed the best grape growers and vineyards in the land.
What better place to start than the original home of Albariño in New Zealand. Gisborne, the first place in the World to see the morning sun and home to a number of innovative and passionate grape growers.
George and Mahala Reynolds
George and Mahala purchased an idyllic home and vineyard in Gisborne in 2015. The Newstead Lane vineyard had an enviable reputation for growing amazing Chardonnay and an area of the vineyard needed replanting. They saw Albariño as an innovative and exciting new opportunity and prepared the land for planting in 2017.
George and Mahala planted a third of the area with the Portuguese Alvarinho clone 635 and the balance with the Spanish mass selection Albariño.
George reflects on the decision to plant Albariño and now recognises “there is something very special about the terroir, with a mix of stones, loam, and clay situated by the Taruheru river/awa, one of Gisborne’s ‘Three Rivers”.
Doug Bell
Doug and Delwyn Bell were recognised as trailblazers in New Zealand viticulture for their visionary planting of Albariño back in 2009. They saw its potential in Gisborne’s maritime climate and their pioneering efforts quickly proved that this vibrant new white grape variety had found a new home.
In 2024, Doug supplied the original 18 rows of Albariño to the brothers which contributed to producing both the Gisborne Albariño (around 40% of the blend) and the Single Vineyard Bell Albariño.
The vineyard's clay loam soils combined with Doug’s light touch viticulture and the oldest vines in the country contribute to the wine's distinctive character and finesse.