Brookfields Vineyards was founded in 1937. The winery was purchased by the current owner, Peter Robertson, in 1977 and he has since transformed Brookfields into a leading winery for New Zealand premium wines.

Our visit was restricted to a wine tasting but we took the opportunity to look around the winery, cellar and restaurant. We were very impressed. The history of the place is revealed in the hand-made concrete blocks used to build the winery and the cellar in the 1930s. These hand-made blocks create the perfect environment for aging great wines and keeping the cellar cool during Hawke’s Bay’s hot summers. We had no problem with the heat as we visited on a bleak day during winter but somehow there was a welcoming warmth about the whole place.

Peter Robertson told us that the Brookfields winemaking philosophy is to make fruit-driven wines that are enjoyable in their youth, go well with food and for those who can resist temptation, wines that respond well to cellaring. "It is my strong belief that superior wine comes from superior fruit, great wines are made in the vineyard. At Brookfields, we whole bunch press all our white wines and all our reds are barrel aged", he said.

A wine tasting at Brookfields is more than just a chance to sample some wines. Peter shares his philosophies, stories and jokes with guests as he light-heartedly debunks some of the myths associated with wine. It’s a lot of fun but there is a serious side to it as he wants guests to leave more informed than when they arrived. He believes that knowledge is an important part of wine appreciation. We sampled a chardonnay, a riesling and a pinot gris then moved on the reds – a cabernet sauvignon, merlot and syrah. We most enjoyed a gold-label cabernet merlot then discovered that this wine wins awards and accolades each vintage.

Peter Robertson says wine should always enhance the food with which it is served. At lunch the pairing of cuisine and wine is paramount. We saw the menu and wine suggestions but unfortunately could not stay. We also saw the evening function center where guests are surrounded by barrels of wine maturing in the racks and an outstanding collection of Piera McArthur paintings in a series called ‘Aspects of Music’. It was all most impressive. Winery hours are 11am-4.30pm daily. Lunches daily.