Dartmoor Vineyard – Rebuilding After Cyclone Gabrielle
In February 2023, Cyclone Gabrielle delivered 500mm of rain in just two days, devastating our vineyard. When Ben flew over the site, his voice said it all—total destruction. Silt was left piled to the top of the vineyard posts, and the reality set in: the land we had worked so hard to cultivate was buried.
Vineyard During Flood
The Recovery
Insurance disputes left us without a fair payout, but fighting them wasn’t worth wasting time or money.
Hawke’s Bay Council needed dump sites for silt, and we were the first to step up.
Over 200 truckloads of silt per day were brought in for 12 months, helping to restore the region while preparing our land for a fresh start.
The Rebuild
May 2024 – Land leveled, drainage and roading completed, and vineyard layout designed with GPS/RTK technology to maximize efficiency.
August 2024 – Irrigation installed.
October 2024 – Sauvignon Blanc replanted.
November 2024 – Steel posts installed.
Christmas/New Year 2025 – Wires in place, and vine training begins.
February 2025 – Vines reach the first training wire.
Ben Poulter & The A Team On The Planter
Vineyard Successfully Planted
Father & Owner Steve Poulter making sure things are perfect
Mother and Owner Kerina Poulter Posting
A Team Effort
Every part of the rebuild—from leveling the land to planting the last vine—was done by our own team. The effort and determination shown by our vineyard operations crew was nothing short of incredible.
A huge thank you to the council for working with us, and most of all, to our team, who took a massive hit and turned it into an opportunity to make Dartmoor better than it was before.
January 2025
February 2025
3rd Generation Swimming in River Beside Dartmoor Vineyard