Te Mata Estate is New Zealand's oldest winery, dating from the early 1890's. It is a New Zealand family owned winery - a true estate, specialising in grape growing and winemaking from its ten Hawke's Bay vineyards. Acknowledged as one of only five icon wineries in New Zealand. Coleraine derives its name from the Coleraine vineyard, home of John & Wendy Buck of Te Mata Estate. John's late grandfather came from Coleraine in Northern Ireland and the name has been maintained through the family properties to the wine.
The first Coleraine was made from the 1982 vintage and created an instant sensation within New Zealand for unsurpassed quality. Originally a single vineyard wine, from 1989 Coleraine has been an assemblage of the finest Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc wines produced from thirty plots within Te Mata Estate's nine Hawke's Bay vineyards.
Coleraine's reputation for quality has extended, from the original 1982 release, over a line of vintages unbroken except for the cool 1992 and 1993 years. When Coleraine is well stored it develops and intensifies in bottle for 15-20 years from harvest.
Of the 2005. "The nose is floral; rose petal blended with hints of rosemary. An enticing mix of black and red fruits comes out on the palate, sweet bramble and dark cherry mixed in with fresher blackcurrant and bilberry. The tannins are firm but fine grained , giving the wine a sleek elegance". Derek Smedly MW May 2007
