Mills Reef Winery is a Hawke’s Bay classic — a producer known for its warm, polished style and steadfast commitment to crafting expressive wines from the region’s most celebrated terroirs. Founded in 1989 by the Preston family, Mills Reef built its reputation on approachability and quality, particularly in the realm of Bordeaux-style reds and Syrah, sourced from the famed Gimblett Gravels. While the winery’s roots lie in Tauranga, its heart — and vineyard focus — has always been in Hawke’s Bay.

The estate works closely with select growers in Gimblett Gravels, Bridge Pa Triangle, and surrounding subregions, where free-draining, stony soils and warm, dry conditions produce reds of density, structure, and aromatic lift. Varietals like Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, and Chardonnay are the core focus, with smaller volumes of aromatic whites and rosé rounding out the range. Farming practices are sustainable, with a strong emphasis on ripeness, vineyard balance, and fruit purity.

In the cellar, winemaking is thoughtful and varietally faithful. Reds are fermented in small lots, with careful extraction and ageing in French and American oak — tailored by varietal and vintage. Whites are handled with restraint, allowing natural acidity and texture to guide style. Across all tiers, from Reserve to Elspeth, there’s a consistent philosophy: to create wines of generosity and structure, crafted for both early enjoyment and graceful ageing.

The wines are rich, rounded, and regionally expressive. Syrah is dark-fruited and spiced, with violet, pepper, and fine tannins. Cabernet-Merlot blends show cassis, tobacco leaf, and warm earth, with supple structure and quiet longevity. Chardonnay is stone-fruited and creamy, layered with oak and freshness. The flagship Elspeth range — named for the Preston family matriarch — offers depth, concentration, and the cellar-worthiness that has made Mills Reef a mainstay among collectors and restaurants alike.

What defines Mills Reef is its grounded elegance — a winery shaped by family values, regional loyalty, and a steady hand in the vineyard and cellar.

These are wines made with openness and care — generous in spirit, composed in style, and always true to the warmth and strength of Hawke’s Bay.