Stonyridge Airfield 2024 is a Merlot-led Bordeaux-style red from Waiheke Island, made by Stonyridge Vineyard, who call it "Larose's baby brother". It shows fresh raspberry and dark cherry fruit. It was rated 93 POINTS by Cameron Douglas, MS, and it's a great wine for anyone who likes polished, approachable Bordeaux blends.
In the glass it shows a vibrant ruby colour, with a subtle hint of cinnamon from French oak. Stonyridge describe it as the most immediately approachable of their estate wines, so this is a wine for those of us who enjoy a classy Bordeaux blend without a long wait in the cellar. It's a great match for slow-roasted lamb.
Airfield is made alongside Stonyridge Larose, the Waiheke red that brought the Estate national fame with its 1987 vintage.
What it tastes like
The wine has a soft, silky texture, and the tannins sit in easy balance with the acidity, so it flows smoothly across the palate. Merlot leads the blend, backed by Malbec, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and a splash of Syrah, which gives it the shape of a classic Bordeaux-style red, made for earlier drinking. It's delicious.
Style at a glance
- Body: Medium to full
- Sweetness: Dry
- Acidity: Fresh and balanced
- Tannin: Soft and silky
- Oak: French oak, adding a gentle spice
- Style: Approachable Waiheke Bordeaux blend
Food to enjoy this with
- Slow-roasted lamb shoulder with rosemary and garlic
- Beef fillet with a red wine and mushroom sauce
- Duck breast with a cherry glaze
- Venison sausages with creamy mash
- Aged gouda or a mature cheddar
- Wild mushroom risotto: Cameron Douglas, MS picked up earthy suggestions in the wine, and they sit nicely with the savoury depth of the mushrooms
Who makes it
Stonyridge Vineyard is the creation of Stephen White, who returned to New Zealand in 1981 after sailing a Whitbread Round the World Yacht Race, skippering yachts in the Mediterranean and Caribbean, and working at wineries in France, California and Italy. After extensive climatic research, he chose this north-facing Waiheke Island site to ripen Bordeaux varieties.
The first Bordeaux vines and olive trees went in during 1982, planted with the help of close friends and family, which made Stonyridge the first commercial olive grove in New Zealand. Cabernet Franc and Malbec followed in 1983. Stephen completed a vintage at Château d'Angludet in Cantenac-Margaux in 1984, then made the first Stonyridge vintage in 1985. The Guardian UK has listed Stonyridge as "One of the Top Ten Must Visit Wineries in the World".
For the 2024 vintage, the blend was 45% Merlot, 19% Malbec, 19% Cabernet Franc, 16% Petit Verdot and 1% Syrah, and the wine was shaped by French oak.
About the vintage
Leon Henson, Vineyard Manager at Batch Winery and Auckland's Young Viticulturist of the Year 2024, reported that rainfall on Waiheke Island was well below average through January, February and March 2024, giving growers "a spectacular ripening period" with plenty of sun.
Yields across the island were low, and he described 2024 as a "quality over quantity vintage". Waiheke's Gulf News reported the same pattern at harvest: yields down, but fruit quality "fantastic".
Critic scores and ratings
- 93 POINTS – Cameron Douglas, MS – camdouglasms.com, May 2026
"A core of dark purple and red with a purple and pink rim. Aromas of raspberry and dark cherry, milk chocolate and violets, French oak barrel spices, a leesy nut and earthy suggestions. A complete wine on the palate with a core of ripe red berry fruits and some plum, plenty of chocolate and smoky barrel spice flavours. Polished tannins and acid line frame the style and earlier drinking qualities. A wine for the cellar too if desired with best drinking from 2027 through 2034."
When to drink it
Stonyridge say it is amazing to drink now. Stonyridge recommends cellaring this for up to 8 years, and Cameron Douglas, MS gives a best-drinking window of 2027 through 2034.
Technical details
| Winery: |
Stonyridge Vineyard |
| Wine: |
Airfield |
| Vintage: |
2024 |
| Variety: |
45% Merlot, 19% Malbec, 19% Cabernet Franc, 16% Petit Verdot, 1% Syrah |
| Region: |
Waiheke Island |
| Country: |
New Zealand |
| Alcohol: |
13.5% |
| Oak: |
French oak |
| Closure: |
Cork |
| Cellaring: |
Up to 8 years |
Where to buy
For international delivery to the USA, Australia, UK, Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan, China and South Korea, the Stonyridge Airfield 2024 is available from our winenz.com website. For delivery within New Zealand, buy it from thewineryonline.co.nz. You can also buy it at our Queenstown and Arrowtown wine stores, alongside a large range of New Zealand and international wine. On both websites and in both stores you can select a mixed case from a large range of wines, and if you are visiting from overseas, we can ship it home for you.
Questions we are often asked
What does Stonyridge Airfield 2024 taste like?
Stonyridge describe fresh raspberry and dark cherry, a subtle cinnamon note from French oak and soft, silky tannins balancing the acidity. It is a smooth, approachable red.
Is Stonyridge Airfield 2024 a good wine?
Yes. It was rated 93 POINTS by Cameron Douglas, MS, who described it as a complete wine with polished tannins and earlier drinking qualities.
What grapes are in Stonyridge Airfield 2024?
It is a Bordeaux-style blend of 45% Merlot, 19% Malbec, 19% Cabernet Franc, 16% Petit Verdot and 1% Syrah, all grown on Waiheke Island.
What is the difference between Stonyridge Airfield and Larose?
Stonyridge call Airfield "Larose's baby brother". Larose is the Estate's famous Bordeaux-style red, while Airfield is made to be the most immediately approachable of its estate wines.
How long can you cellar Stonyridge Airfield 2024?
Stonyridge suggest it can be cellared for up to 8 years. Cameron Douglas, MS expects its best drinking from 2027 through 2034.
Where can I buy Stonyridge Airfield 2024?
The Winery ships Stonyridge Airfield 2024 internationally from winenz.com to the USA, Australia, UK, Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan, China and South Korea, and delivers within New Zealand from thewineryonline.co.nz. You can also buy it in our Queenstown and Arrowtown wine stores.
