Sileni Estates was born from a long standing interest in wine by Sir Graeme Avery. The winery is named after the Sileni who featured in Roman mythology alongside Bacchus, the God of Wine. They celebrated good wine, good food and good company.
Entrepreneur, Sir Graeme Avery, spent more than 33 years as a leading international medical publisher. Seeking a change he founded Sileni Estates in 1997, motivated by a passion he and his wife Lady Gabrielle developed for wine and food during regular business visits to the Old World wine regions of Italy, France and Spain.
The estate is based in the Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand’s oldest wine region. The area enjoys warm, dry temperatures and a varied viticultural climate. The hotter plains at sea level are well suited for Merlot dominant Bordeaux blends, a Northern Rhone style Syrah, and Semillon.
In the cooler, higher altitude, foothills and coastal sites the Burgundy varieties of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, along with Pinot Gris and a ripe-style Sauvignon Blanc, are grown. Sileni also produces world-renowned Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, from its own vineyards and by working alongside local growers in the Marlborough region.
Find out more about Sileni Estates