A Genuine Connection to the land

Changing of the Guard

In 2024, the time came for a changing of the guard. After more than three decades tending the vines, Johnny made the difficult decision to pass the legacy of Hillside on. Stewardship of the vineyard was entrusted to Andrew and Emma Mouat, farmers from Kereru, Hawke’s Bay, and longstanding friends of the Lyons family.

Andrew and Emma understood the importance of honouring what Johnny had created. Recognising that the fruit was simply too exceptional to continue selling, they made the decision to produce wine from the vineyard under their own name, marking the beginning of a new chapter while remaining firmly rooted in the land’s history.

A Chance Meeting at a Wine Tasting

The story began in 1998 on a third-generation family farm, after the seed of an idea was sown during a chance meeting at a wine tasting. A prominent winemaker asked farm owner Johnny Lyons whether he owned the small, north-facing valley, on hills bordering Bridge Pa Triangle and told him that, should he ever plant vines there, he would be interested in buying the fruit.

That crossing of paths led Johnny to add winegrower to his life as a farmer, planting what were among the earliest Syrah vines established in Hawke’s Bay.

Known then as Hillside, the vineyard soon earned a reputation for producing exceptional fruit. Wines made from its grapes brought winemakers medals and awards, including Gold at the Air New Zealand Wine Awards and a trophy at an Australian food and wine show.

OHARA

The name Ohara comes from Andrew and Emma’s farm, Ohara Station, named from the river that runs through the property and flows into the Ngaruroro River.

This connection continues at the vineyard, with the Bridge Pa Triangle resting upon the ancient riverbed of the Ngaruroro: a natural link between the Mouats’ farming heritage and the land from which their wines are now grown.