Mills Reef Winery was first established in 1989 in Tauranga, New Zealand, by the Preston family. Since then, the company has gone on to receive significant critical acclaim. Mills Reef Wines have won over 250 medals in both national and international competitions.

Mills Reef's Mere Road Vineyard, is situated in the "Gimblett Gravels" appellation of Hawkes Bay. The Gimblett Gravels wine growing district has received a lot of press recently after the launch of the appellation by the collective of wineries who grow grapes in the area. The Gimblett Gravels appellation is strictly determined by the gravely soils laid down by the old Ngaruroro River, which was exposed after a huge flood in the 1870's. The climate on the Gimblett Gravels is relatively dry and warm with summer daytime temperatures between 2 and 3 degrees Celsius warmer than in other Hawkes Bay areas. These extra degrees make the difference for ripe grapes with the potential to make top-notch wine. Our Mere Road Vineyard is situated in the centre of this golden triangle.