Mills Reef Reserve Rose

Charles Mills – sea captain, gold miner and former Member of Parliament and Minister of Trade & Custom 1890-1908. He’s a bit of a legend in the family tree of the name behind this iconic Hawke’s Bay producer, so you can see why they ended up naming their wines after him. As for the reef bit, nothing to do with anything he smoked but everything to do with how he spent his days – watching for reefs at sea and mining for reefs of gold.

Although their vineyards are mostly based in Hawke’s Bay their vineyard is actually just out out of Tauranga – and it’s flash as! Twenty aces of landscaped grounds, wine making and bottling facilities, an underground cellar, 150-seat restuarant and conference centre – and quite the spot to get hitched at!

Their 2020 Reserve Rosé is made using fruit from across their Hawke’s Bay vineyards, all from a baking hot and dry 2020 vintage down that way! Quite a vibrant, full bodied Rosé this is a style that’s all about the strawberries and raspberries and cream with an off-dry finish.