The Hawke’s Bay wine region on the east coast of New Zealand’s North Island was quick to develop a reputation for its red wines from Bordeaux blends (and whites from chardonnay). As the region developed in size and sophistication, it became evident that the prime site, to some extent replicating the river-bed gravels of the Médoc, was the Gimblett Gravels sub-district which now has its own appellation. Here the free draining shingle soils provide a top quality, low vigour site for ripening the Bordeaux grape varieties..

The Esk Valley Estate winery is part of the Villa Maria Group, located on the site of the former Glenvale Winery (established 1933) since the late 1980s. Head winemaker Gordon Russell has been in charge since 1993. Thw Gimblett Gravels wine was made from a blend of 39% Merlot, 37% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 24% Malbec. The individual varietal and vineyard parcels were aged separately in barrel for 12 months before being bottled

Esk Valley's flagship wine is "The Terraces", which is only released those years when the terraced vines on the banks above the winery, produce an exceptional vintage.