It was in Tracy's mid twenties, on returning home from extended overseas experience that Tracy embarked on the now world-renowned Wine Science Diploma at Hawke's Bay's Eastern Institute of Technology.

The following years saw her completing vintages in Italy, the Napa Valley, Bordeaux and Switzerland. It was during this period that she met her husband David Mason, director of Sacred Hill Wines. She returned to Hawke's Bay and cemented herself as winemaker for Lombardi Wines and Black Barn Vineyards.

Having a natural love for the wines of Bordeaux made deciding what to plant on the tiny piece of family land on the Ti Point Peninsula in Matakana a breeze. Merlot, Malbec and Cabernet Franc provided the perfect mix. "I love a red wine that has layers of flavour and an inviting texture that I can enjoy anytime of the day" and that's precisely the type of wine winemaker Tracy Haslam set out to create.

Tracy employs a philosophy of minimal handling in the winery, to create wines that are supple, sexy and very food-friendly. The family vineyard is beautifully situated on the Matakana Coast of the North Island, one hour's drive north of Auckland.