Producer profile - Craggy Range Winery
Posted by Joelle Thomson on
Craggy Range is one of New Zealand's best known producers for both its highly sought after, small volume collectible wines known as the Prestige Collection (launched mid year, every year) and for its affordable, deliciously divine dry Rieslings, Pinot Noirs and staunch age worthy reds. But it may come as a surprise to discover where most of its wines come from or, rather where most of the grapes used in Craggy Range wines are grown.
The winery is based in Hawke's Bay and began with high quality plantings on the Gimblett Gravels and other areas in that region. Today, however, the Bay is responsible for 30% of Craggy Range's total wine producer while a vast 70% comes from the windswept, dramatic beauty of Te Muna Valley in Martinborough.
Until 2019, Craggy's producing vineyard area in Martinborough was 90 hectares. Today, this has grown to 250 hectares, the majority of which is Sauvignon Blanc with approximately 65% of the plantings and nearly all of which is destined for export markets.
The remaining 35% is nearly all Pinot Noir, with a smidgeon of extremely high quality Riesling grapes also planted and produced into a dry, zesty, age worthy white wine, which punches well above its price weight. There is also a little Pinot Gris, but it is the Pinot Noirs that really sing and they can also age, especially the Craggy Range Aroha Pinot Noir - the top wine made in Martinborough.
A taster of Craggy Range
2020/2021 Craggy Range Te Muna Pinot Noir RRP $50.99
Dry, savoury and earthy style of Pinot Noir with delicacy and power from grapes grown on Craggy Range's windswept and beautiful Te Muna Road vineyard, 9 kilometres east of the Martinborough village.
2023 Craggy Range Te Muna Riesling RRP $32.99
This tasty dry Riesling comes from the beautiful windswept vineyard owned by Craggy Range in the sweepingly stunning Te Muna Road in Martinborough.
The grapes in this wine were 100% whole bunch pressed and fermented in a combination of stainless steel and large oak cuves with 100% innoculated yeasts.
The wine was matured for four months before bottling. It's fresh, youthful, vibrant and zingy with intense lime and green apple flavour notes, a medium body and long finish. It drinks beautifully now and will age superbly for at least five to six years.
And one from the Bay...
2020 Craggy Range Te Kahu Hawke's Bay RRP $31.99
Te Kahu means the cloak in Maori and refers to the mist that shrouds the Craggy Range Giant's Winery in the Tukituki Valley in early morning . This bold but balanced red blend highlights five classic grapes from Bordeaux in south west France; Merlot leads the way in this sharply priced red with proportions of the other grapes varying each year. These include Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot.
See the full range of Craggy Range wines online here or pop in store to browse.