Solstone comes from "sol" for the sun and "stone" for the river stones.

Solstone Estate is situated on the banks of the Waingawa River, on the edge of Masterton. The vineyard was planted in 1981 by David Bloomfield, making it one of the older ones in the region.

Solstone specialises in the Bordeaux varieties - Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot, but also produces Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling and Pinot Noir.

Nearly half of the estate vineyard is taken up by Cabernet Sauvignon which is grown in the Bordeaux manner. The vines are trained on low trellises just 15cm above the ground to gain maximium benefit of the warmth radiated from the stony earth.

Much of their wine sells through the winery restaurant Seasons on Solstone, which overlooks the vines. In good years, Solstone Estate's winemaker Bernard Newman produces reserve wines, such as the 2001 Reserve Cabernet Franc that won a silver medal in the 2003 Air New Zealand Wine Awards.