Bilancia is a small Hawkes' Bay producer of exceptional Pinot Gris, Viognier and Syrah. It is the label of winemakers Lorraine Leheny and Warren Gibson and was established in 1997 when Lorraine and Warren returned to New Zealand from winemaking overseas.

Central Hawke’s Bay is known for the ancient Pakohe (argillite) forming the basis of the soil type. Kaikora Vineyard is planted on pakohe soils with clone UCD15 Chardonnay on its own roots. A single vineyard Chardonnay from Kaikora Vineyard in Otane. Kaikora is the original name for the town of Otane in Central Hawke’s Bay. The name was changed to avoid confusion with Kaikoura in the South Island. 2021 was yet another in a run of great Hawke’s Bay vintages. The fruit was 100% hand-picked, then whole bunch pressed to French oak barriques for fermentation. The wine was fermented with indigenous yeast and then spent 11 months in oak prior to bottling; there was no fining or cold stabilisation. Central Hawke’s Bay’s moderately cooler climate delivers fruit with a unique profile. Full, ripe fruit with some flint and hints of pink grapefruit on the palate. With time the wine will open up further. The 2021 Kaikora Vineyard Chardonnay is a great food wine. This wine is ready to drink on