Sixteen years on and the Gimblett Gravels Wine Growing District's (GGWD) Annual Vintage Selection is stronger than ever, with the release of its 16th annual top wines officially announced today. 

The 16th vintage of the top wines includes six from the GGWD from the 2023 vintage, which Sydney based Master of Wine Andrew Caillard describes as being "Extremely moving to taste wines of this quality and impact.” 

Caillard selects the top wines every year from a larger group that are put forward, all for blind tasting, for his selection. 

The 2023 vintage was a challenging one in Hawke's Bay, due to Cyclone Gabrielle hitting areas of the Bay in February 2023, highlighting the great benefits of free draining soils in the Gimblett Gravels Wine Growing District®. 

"The 2023 Gimblett Gravels Selection highlights the resilience of the district while showing the creative strength of winemakers and the exceptional calibre of vineyard managers and their teams," says Caillard. 

The Chairman of the Gimblett Gravels Winegrowers Association, Cameron Price, describes the 2023 vintage as being a powerful reminder of nature’s hand in winemaking but that the skill and passion of the vigneron can prevail.

"These wines continue the Gimblett Gravels® story of excellence, a testament to the enduring partnership between nature and nurture.”

The 2023 Annual Vintage Selection is made up of these wines

Blended reds made from classic Bordeaux grape varieties

2023 Church Road Grand Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot Cabernet Franc

2023 Čuvar Guardians Cabernet Merlot Malbec

2023 Mission Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon

2023 Squawking Magpie The Chatterer Merlot Malbec

Syrah 

2023 Elephant Hill Stone Syrah

2023 Stonecroft Organic Reserve Syrah

The Gimblett Gravels Winegrowers Association's Annual Vintage Selection provides a snapshot of each vintage and helps to chart the evolution of wines made on the Gimblett Gravels.