![](http://www.hancocks.co.nz/images/v8/headings/brands/eskdale.png)
Tucked away in Napier's Esk Valley, is an old timber winery with stained glass windows and arched doorways. This tiny, picturesque winery belongs to Kim Salonius, a graduate in Medieval History. In good years Eskdale produces three wine varietals, Chardonnay, Gewurztraminer and a Malbec, all of which are bold fruit-driven styles which receive more maturation than most in 500 litre barrels. The wine is bottled no sooner than two to three years after harvest. These truly hand-made wines are of exceptional quality and individuality.
![](http://www.hancocks.co.nz/images/profiles/WMeskdale.jpg)
Canadian Kim Salonius produces wines of great character from his rustic boutique winery located in the Esk Valley, north of Napier. In previous years, the range has been relatively small - just Chardonnay, Gewurztraminer and a Cabernet-Malbec blend - but Kim has spread his wings in 2004, adding a Cabernet Franc and a Malbec to the lineup. Kim normally holds his wines back for several years, but the new additions to the range are being released while still relatively young. Although his Cabernet-Malbec blend spends two years maturing in American oak, the straight Malbec and Cabernet Franc get only eight months. Kim stresses, however, that they will develop further with good cellaring.