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Hyperion Wines

Welcome

Established in 1994, Hyperion Wines consists of two small vineyards, both located on the warm clay/clay loam slopes of the Matakana district. Plantings are primarily Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, together with Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay and Malbec. The home vineyard and winery are located at the end of Tongue Farm Road past Morris & James Pottery and Caf, just beyond the Matakana shops junction. A second vineyard is situated near the start of Omaha Flats Road leading to Pt Wells, east of Matakana.

The Winery is a converted cowshed surrounded by rustic farm buildings. A quietly idyllic pastoral location with panoramic views from the vineyard. Visitors are welcome for tours and tasting on weekends and holidays.

Origin of name The vineyards and wine label are named after the mythological Greek sun god, Hyperion, who projects a powerful 'sun and light' image.

One of the Titans, from the union of Gaia (the Earth from whom all produce flows) and Uranus (the Heavens), Hyperion pre dated his son Helios as the Sun God.

The connection with the vineyard is the visual and beneficial effect of sun and light on the grape vines. Hyperion's offspring are Helios the Sun, Selene the Moon and Eos the Dawn, each in their turn providing warmth, coolness and moisture, all factors affecting viticulture. We are now using Hyperion's family as sub names to distinguish between our various wines.

"Hyperion" is also the subject of John Keat's greatest and most ambitious poetic work which remained unfinished....

Proprietors: John and Jill Crone

Winemaker: John Crone BE (Chemical)

Vineyard:
1 acre Pinot Gris
1 acre Chardonnay
2 acres Cabernet Sauvignon
1 acre Merlot
1 acre Pinot Noir

History:

1994 Purchased a small property in Omaha Flats road (next to Providence vineyard) and began planting a 2 acre block of Chardonnay and Pinot Gris.

1995 Planted another 2 acre block with Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.

1996 Purchased a second property in Tongue Farm road (next to the Antipodean vineyard) with an existing 2 acre block of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir and a winery.

1997 Harvested a first crop of Pinot Gris from the Omaha block and three red varieties from the Tongue Farm road property.

Early 1998 Launched a Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir on the market - the Pinot Noir selling out quickly.

1998 Harvest processed with great fruit quality and much increased quantity.

June 1998 Obtained off-licence and started selling directly from the winery.

July 1998 Released 1997 Cabernet/Merlot.

September 1998 Won silver medal for 1997 Cabernet/Merlot in Liquorland Top 100 international competition.

December 1998 Released "Selene" a summery Tuscan blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Gris.

January 1999 Released "Helios" a barrique fermented Chardonnay.

June 1999 Released a Cabernet Sauvignon called "Millennios", a Merlot called "Gaia" and the 1998 Cabernet/Merlot now called "Kronos".

November 1999 three reds Pinot Noir, Merlot and Cabernet/Merlot all receive bronze medals in various competitions.

March 2000. 98 "Gaia" Merlot awarded gold medal and trophy , New Zealand Wine Society Royal Easter Show. 2000 "Kronos" and 99 "Helios" also receive bronze medals.

March 2000 Labels updated

May 2000 Released a Late Harvest Pinot Gris called "Theia".

Spring 2000. 98 "Gai" Merlot rated 5 stars 96/100 by Australian wine guru James Halliday in his ''2001 Australian & New Zealand Wine Companion' where it was highest rating Merlot in Australasia.

September 2000 Mentioned in French magazine Gault Millau in Top 10 NZ wines, (98 Gaia)

October 2000 "Kronos" 98 awarded silver medal in Liquorland Top 100 and 2000 "Phoebe" receives bronze.

March 2001 "Helios" 2000 awarded bronze in Easter Show

" Wine is life " horace