It’s always a privilege to have acclaimed wine writers taste and review our wines. We invite you to read what they have to say about our current range below.

Hancock and Sons – 2018 Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay

The Real Review by Bob Campbell

“The first release of a new label by a legendary winemaker John Hancock. Fine-boned, taut Chardonnay with citrus, grapefruit, toast, spicy oak, and a hint of savory and struck match character” – 92 points

Michael Cooper

“The distinctive vintage from winemaker John Hancock and his son, Willy. Bright, light lemon/green, it is fragrant, with very good weight and depth of grapefruit and peach-like flavours, a subtle seasoning of oak and impressive vigour, delicacy and harmony” – 4 stars

Raymond Chan

“Bright, light straw-yellow colour with slight green hues, pale edged. The nose is elegant in expression with fine proportions, and harmoniously interwoven aromas of white stone fruits, citrus fruit and peach, finely layered with subtle, spicy and nutty oak. This is fresh with an underlying firmness, unfolding barrel-work detail with aeration. Medium-full bodied, the palate has an elegantly concentrated core with flavours of citrus and yellow stone fruits harmoniously entwined with nutty and spicy oak supporting the fruit. The mouthfeel has depth and richness, and is balanced by fine textures and refreshing acidity. This has good linearity and carries to a lingering finish. This is an elegantly concentrated and rich-fruited Chardonnay with citrus and stone fruit flavours supported by a harmonious layering of spicy and nutty oak on a fine and fresh palate” – 4 stars

Wine Orbit by Sam Kim

“Attractively fruited and inviting, the bouquet shows ripe stone fruit, rock melon, vanilla, nougat and cashew characters, leading to a succulent palate that is beautifully rounded and creamy. The wine offers lovely fruit vibrancy and purity together with elegant oak complexity, finishing long and appealing” – 4.5 stars

Wine of the Week by Joelle Thomson

“A big, bold and brand new Chardonnay. Dry, nutty, full-bodied and fresh flavoured with vibrant but balanced acidity, this Chardonnay has all the recognisable big bells” – 4.5 stars

Don Kavanagh

“I was slightly confused when I opened this case of wine. Chardonnay in a Bordeaux-shaped bottle? The paleness as I held it up to the light? Oh me of little faith. The nose is like a tropical breakfast underpinned by hazelnut and cream and the palate is glorious. It’s packed with pineapple and pawpaw drizzled with fresh lime. Later, the nutty element comes through, overlaid with honey and cream and a ridiculously long, persistent fruit finish. Top work John and Willy Hancock. Very smart wine”

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Hancock & Sons 2018 Lillies Hawke’s Bay Rosé

The Real Review by Bob Campbell

“Pretty pale pink, delicate, almost ethereal Rosé with delicate berry fruit and subtle fresh herb flavours, supported by tangy acidity” – 90 points

Michael Cooper

“Light bodied and lively, with gentle, delicate peachy flavours, hints of spices and strawberries and a dry finish” – 3.5 stars

Raymond Chan

“Pale peach-pink colour with some depth, lighter on the rim. The nose is firm and tightly bound, but elegant in proportion, with very good depth of yellow stone fruit, quince, subtle notes of herbs and redcurrants, nuances of ref florals and thirst-quenching chalky minerals. Dryish to taste and medium-bodied, the palate has luscious and juicy flavours of yellow stonefruits, quince, red berry and aromatic florals with suggestions of confectionary, forming a rich heart. The wine flows along a fine-textured, mouthwatering phenolic line with bright acidity enlivening the mouthfeel and providing vitality. The wine carries to a brisk, fragrant finish. This is a deliciously lush and juicy dry rosé with stonefruit, quince, red berry and floral flavours on a fine-textured, mouthwatering palate” – 4 stars

Wine Orbit by Sam Kim

“Beautifully restrained and delicate. The bouquet shows Gala apple, grapefruit, raspberry and gun smoke characters. The palate is taut and finely textured, displaying elegant fruit weight and intensity, backed by crisp acidity, finishing firm and lingering. Light, dry and mouth-watering” – 4.5 stars

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Hancock and Sons – 2018 Hawke’s Bay Cabernet Franc

Yvonne Lorkin Review

“From John Hancock and his son Willy, comes this deliciously drinkable blend of cabernet franc and cabernet sauvignon that shows blueberry, blackberry, boysenberry, in fact, everything berry in the glass and apart from the bottle itself looking like absolute money on the table, this is an elegantly structured addition to any cellar. With bay, black olive and spicy oak on the palate, the tannins are softly textured yet present and it has buoyancy and length. Very nicely made” – 4 stars

Simon Wood Review

“Cabernet Franc is very underrated and underappreciated as a standalone wine in the new world. This should change that. Vibrant and succulent, fine tannins, berry fruit for miles, such a good wine”

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I recently spent 3 days judging at the New Zealand International Wine Awards in Auckland.

It was the best overall quality for the last 3 or 4 years, reflecting the very good 2019 harvest in New Zealand. The biggest improvements were in Rosé (the biggest class ever, reflecting increased consumption) and Pinot Gris. Pinot Gris in the past was always one of those classes to be avoided! But this year, there was some outstanding wines. Australian wines dominated the Shiraz/Syrah class with a lot of seriously good and drinkable wines, much more restrained than in the past and better for it.

Overall, an outstanding show, John.

We’re proud to support the Hawke’s Bay Wine Auction this year. This is always a very important & charitable event on the calendar, raising funds to go toward Cranford Hospice and the work they do for our Hawke’s Bay community. Hawke’s Bay’s most talented winemakers will provide over 40 lots of wine, many of which are being specially blended so its definitely an event you don’t want to miss out on.

For our Hawkes Bay Wine Auction lot this year, we’ve got our first red wine based on Bridge Pa Cabernet Franc blended 50/50 with Gimblett Road Cabernet Franc/Cabernet Sauvignon. This wine has been aged for 14 months in barrel, with 10% new oak and has a gorgeous, mouth-filling but silky texture. Cherry and chocolate aromas are evident and the colour is full and deep. This wine will age beautifully, aided by the 18% Cabernet Sauvignon, to be enjoyed at that special party or event. We have bottled just 2 x 6L and 6 magnums. 6 x 750 ml bottles, 1 x 6 L and 2 x magnums will form this very exclusive auction lot.

John has just completed his 49th harvest, largely in New Zealand, but with experience in the Rhone Valley, Burgundy and Australia. As many of you will know, John was keen to get back to hands-on winemaking after moving more into a brand ambassadorial role in recent years, hence starting up a wine brand with his eldest son Willy.

They determined that the grape growing environment of Hawkes Bay, coupled with John’s intimate knowledge of the region, the best vineyards and most passionate growers gives the greatest possibility for making a range of outstanding wines. So the decision was taken to concentrate on Hawkes Bay and work closely with the soils best suited to each variety by developing strong relationships with the best growers the region has to offer. John’s from a family of pioneers. In 1861, the Hancock’s great-great-grandparents left Cornwall in England & emigrated to South Australia. This pioneering spirit has remained & been passed down through the generations. This is the foundation of the Hancock & Sons wine brand and their outlook for the future.

Introducing Hancock’s Half Dozen. We want to give you a taste of our current range so we’ve selected a mixed 6 pack of our handcrafted wines at great value. A deal you wouldn’t want to miss out on. Check out the special offer here

Willy, much inspired by his father John, is just setting out on his vinous journey. He’s just completed harvest number 5 which includes stints in New Zealand, California and France. After moving to the UK in 2012, Willy experienced a different pace of life in the London restaurant scene. Having the opportunity to work and train with leaders in the wine scene at both the Don and Bleeding Heart restaurants meant that a passion for wine was born.

 A subsequent Winemaking and Viticulture degree at Plumpton College was undertaken, and after the vintages in Sancerre, Bordeaux and California, Willy returned to New Zealand to work his 6th vintage with Church Road in Hawkes Bay. Based in Hawkes Bay now, he looks to continue his families passion for the wine industry alongside his father John who was keen to develop a legacy for his sons. A legacy where they could put into practice what they have learned together.

John Hancock (pictured above) shovelling grapes at Morton Estate, 1983. John’s shares some words below on his winemaking career to date as the NZ Wine Industry celebrates 200 years since the first vines were planted in the Bay of Islands, September 25th, 1819.

“I left Delegats in late 1982 to help start Morton and we quickly became NZ’s premium Chardonnay producer using Hawkes Bay grapes. We planted our own vineyards in Mangatahi, again pioneering as the first vineyards in that part of Hawkes Bay, situated in the river terraces above the Ngaruroro River (inland). This was cooler and more ideal for Chardonnay. I had 14 years at Morton Estate, then with 2 other partners, we started Trinity Hill, pioneering the Gimblett Gravels with first vineyards planted in 1993/4. We made great progress with Syrah, the Bordeaux varieties (Cab Sauvignon, Merlot, Cab Franc, Petit Verdot and Malbec) plus new varieties such as Tempranillo and Touriga Nacional, Montepulciano.

Gradually, I moved away from winemaking to brand ambassador, spending an lot of time in the marketplace, both nationally and internationally, also pioneering export markets from the mid-1980’s onward. I then decided to get back to hands-on winemaking and work with my sons on developing a new brand – Hancock and Sons”.

John Hancock, Winemaker.

Over the last week, we have been busy bottling the 2018 Hancock & Sons Rose and Chardonnay. The wines are tasting very well and new packaging looks great. Once we have the shopping section of the website operating satisfactorily, both wines will be available for sale in very limited quantities,

Expect a notification fairly soon, early December.

Willy is due back from his adventures in Bordeaux on the 1st of December. Looking forward to having him back.

Flowering is well underway with Chardonnay and Merlot and the Hawkes Bay weather has not been extreme as other parts of the country. I did notice a sprinkling of snow on the Kawekas on Monday morning but it hasn’t been too bad. We should have good flowering.

Look forward to a report from Willy about his harvest experience very soon.

Cheers,

John

This week has been extremely wet and cold in Hawke’s Bay. This should put our aquifers in a good position coming up to what is predicted to be a hot, dry summer. The other benefit is that bud-burst has been slowed down, giving us some respite from  potential frost damage.

Can’t see the mountains but I suspect we may have snow up there so could keep spring reasonably cold.

The weather is such a crucial part of the winemaking process and one of those things over which we have no control. It does make our life a bit unpredictable and, I must say, rather exciting. Each year presents new challenges.

Keep warm.

John the father.

Chardonnay vines August 20 just pre-budburst

Welcome to my first post.

Number one Hancock son, Willy, is off to Bordeaux next week to do harvest in St Emilion and Pomerol with Lolly (Charlotte) Krajewski at Clos Cantenac and Chateau Seraphine. He did harvest with Lolly’s father, Martin, at Chateau de Sours a few years ago. Wish I was going, but someone has to keep the home fire burning.

As he heads off to do harvest, we are fast approaching bud burst here in Hawkes Bay with buds swelling as Spring is on her way.

Cheers,

Hancock father John