One of New Zealand’s first wineries, Vidal Estate was established in 1905 by Spanish migrant Anthony Joseph Vidal. He first planted grapes and established the pioneering Vidal Estate in Hastings where the winery had remained for the last 113 years.
As Vidal Estate grew, so too did Hastings and today the once rural winery location is nestled in the heart of residential suburbia. Limitations on space and restricted operating times proved challenging around harvest, thus the move to a new state-of-the-art winemaking facility in the Gimblett Gravels was a necessary step to take.
Hugh Crichton, winemaker at Vidal Estate, said it was “exciting times” to have moved the company’s winemaking base out to the Gimblett Gravels for the 2018 vintage.
“While it’s been immensely satisfying to ferment and age our wines in our historic cellars in Hastings there’s no denying there have been challenges. Being closer to our vineyards and working within a winery designed for quality will without a doubt further push us into the premium market.”
