Bilancia
bi’lancia Italian. (be-larn-cha) balance, harmony and equilibrium; the scales, of the zodiac (libra).
Bilancia is a small Hawke's Bay producer of exceptional Chardonnay, Viognier/Marsanne/Roussanne and Syrah. Lorraine Leheny and Warren Gibson have been making fine Hawke's Bay wine since 1997. The first wines were released in 1998 and the first la collina Syrah, from the 2002 vintage, was released in 2004.
All fruit is sourced from Hawke's Bay vineyards: Syrah from la collina and Roys Hill, Chardonnay from la collina (Tiratore), Roys Hill and Otane (Central Hawke's Bay).
"You have to visit Hawke’s Bay on the east coast of New Zealand’s North Island to realise just how special Bilancia’s La Collina is."
Jancis Robinson
21 April 2023
Reviews
96 points
"Burgundian and Kumeu River drinkers take note of the 2020 Chardonnay Tiratore La collina Vineyard. “Tiratore” is Italian for hunter or shooter; many bullets were found on the site while planting the vines as it used to be a popular spot for locals to go shooting. The 2021 Chardonnay, however, is very alive. It is a highly concentrated, finely scented, savoury Chardonnay, offering huge intensity of fine, restrained fruit. You should expect clarity and purity of nectarine fruit alongside subtle oak and floral notes. There’s a sense of firmness to this wine, with great acidity that keeps the wine clean, clear and persistent.."
Rebecca Gibb
January 2023
2022 Kaikora Vineyard Chardonnay
97 points
“Just like the 2021 that I tasted a couple of months ago, this is a penetrating, harmonious wine. The acidity and the fruit flow as one across the tongue, shaped by very fine phenolics that feel soft and whippy through the finish. Superb wine, elegant, classy, poised. A joy. I love the levity. It’s chalky and a little grippy.”
Erin Larkin
November 28, 2023
Please contact us regarding this wine. Stock is limited
"The La Collina Syrah is without a doubt, New Zealand's greatest Syrah, and it is a gift to the wine world. If it is new to you, make it not so. It ages with grace and ease and will only repay careful cellaring with years of joy in the future. Go slow and gentle."
2021 la collina Syrah
98 points
"The 2021 la collina is floral on the nose, with lavender, rose petals, pomegranate pearls, fresh blood, graphite, black tea and umami/bone broth inflections. In the mouth the wine is light as a feather, elongated and ethereal, spiced and fine. It flutters over a long, lingering finish that is layered with star anise and clove – layers that settle upon one another, sine as sheets of tissue paper. Be still, heart."
Erin Larkin
15 December, 2023
Please contact us regarding this wine. Stock is limited
2022 Trelinnoe Vineyard Chardonnay
96 points 
"A superb bottle of Chardonnay that
would give many grand cru Burgundies a run for their money with mineral, flint, light nougat, lemon rind and chlaky-like undertones on the nose that follow through to a medium and focused palate witha mineral and dried lemon character. Lovely fresh length at the end ."
James Suckling
November 2, 2023
96+ points
"On the nose, this is saturated with raspberry
coulis and red liquorice, pink peppercorns, graphite and black tea, rose petals and blood. It smells sumptuous and looks vibrant and almost light. I'm thinking supple. Yes. Uber fine, with a chalky, silky flow. this is a delicious wine. It's exactly what you'd hope for in medium-weight Syrah. It's perfectly ripe without a hint of anything over that. This is gorgeous wine. Seamless. Almost three years in barrel, with none new. the future is so bright here."
Erin Larkin
28 November 2023
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