Brightwater Gravels

About Brightwater Gravels

Brightwater Gravels is a boutique Nelson winery with a focus on producing balanced, elegant and food friendly wines.

Brightwater Gravels vineyards

Located at the top of the South Island of New Zealand in the sub-region of Brightwater, Nelson. Nestled between the Wai-iti and Wairoa rivers, the vines thrive in free draining alluvial soils with layered river silts. The riverbanks are hemmed by the native Kowhai tree with its prolific bright yellow spring flowers (New Zealand's national flower), popular with the abundant bird life.

The wines benefit from an ideal location for premium grape growing. Ancient alluvial soils of the Waimea plains that are stony and free draining with layered river silts.

Expert vineyard management is aided with modern systems along with complimentary natural practices makes us perfectly set up to provide premium quality, clean fruit to the winery. New Zealand’s highest sunshine hours combined with cool, clear skies of autumn provide a slow ripening period that helps to retain the vibrant varietal flavours and acidity that make the wines so distinctive.

Brightwater Gravels Winemaker

Winemaker Trudy Sheild creates the wines and brings in her experience of creating award-winning wines. The wines are carefully crafted, balanced, and consistently surprise with their complex tones, and polished finish. In addition, she creates new wines under the label SHEILD.

Kōwhai - The flower on the label

The kōwhai is one of the best-known native trees in New Zealand and the country’s unofficial national flower. It is found throughout New Zealand in a diverse range of habitats.

The riverbanks at the Brightwater Gravels vineyards are adjorned by the native Kowhai tree with its prolific bright yellow spring flowers, popular with the abundant bird life. Native birds such as the tui, bellbird, kākā and New Zealand pigeon all benefit from kōwhai trees.