Established in 1896, Te Mata Estate remains family owned, producing internationally recognized wines exclusively from its Hawke's Bay vineyards. The Estate's ownership varied frequently until John and Wendy Buck acquired it in 1978. John and Wendy instigated a twenty-year development program, which commenced with the restoration of the original winery building and the replanting of all of the original vineyards, as well as the acquisition of new vineyard sites.

Te Mata winery has been ranked 'Top Winery in New Zealand' evidenced by the consistent quality of the Coleraine and Awatea Cabernet Merlot wines, the Bull Nose Syrah and the Elston Chardonnay.

Elston is named for Elston Hall in Nottinghamshire, the ancestral home of Charles Darwin’s family. Darwin’s ‘theory of natural selection’ forms the basis of modern evolutionary theory, the foundation of biology. The wyvern symbol of Elston Hall appears on the label.

Focused and textured, showing sliced apples and lemons with hints of dried pears and crushed stones on the nose. Full-bodied with chewy phenolics that add to the salty, subtle fruit. Limes at the end. Structured and impressive, this is a beautiful follow-up after the terrific 2023. A powerful and rather muscular chardonnay that highlights the quality of the fruit. 100% barrel-fermented and aged 11 months. Drink or hold. Date: Jan 2026; Rating: 97 Points & No. 4 Top 100 Value Wines of 2025; James Suckling

The wine combines generosity, complexity, and refinement. The elegantly expressed bouquet shows ripe apricot, lemon peel, oatmeal, nougat, biscotti, and fine oak characters with a hint of flint. The palate delivers an impressive drive and flow, complemented by a richly textured mouthfeel and perfectly pitched acidity, finishing expansive and engaging. Date: Feb 2026; Rating: 97 Points; Wine Orbit