Craggy Range, a name revered among wine enthusiasts, has been synonymous with excellence in winemaking for over two decades. As I reflect upon my first encounter with Craggy Range at a tasting event back in 2005, I am reminded of the awe-inspiring prestige range that left an indelible mark on my palate. Today, the quality and passion that this winery embodies continue to astonish wine connoisseurs worldwide.
253 Waimarama Road, Havelock North 4230, New Zealand +64 6 873 7126
The Visionaries Behind Craggy Range
At the heart of Craggy Range’s success story lies the visionary couple, Terry and Mary Peabody. Their dream was simple yet profound: to unearth unique vineyard sites and create wines that resonate with the very essence of their origin. In the early 1990s, this vision transformed into their family legacy, where they embraced the challenge of building a winery from the ground up with an unwavering commitment to quality.
The Quest for the Perfect Terroir
The search for the perfect vineyard sites took Terry and Mary Peabody on a remarkable journey through France, the Americas, and their home base in Australia. However, it was in New Zealand that they finally found what they had been seeking. The exact locations were discovered after Terry forged a close friendship and strong business partnership with New Zealand native Steve Smith, a Master of Wine and viticulture specialist. Their shared appreciation for terroir led them to unearth some of the finest parcels of land for grape cultivation.
Gimblett Gravels: Where the Journey Began
One of the first parcels of pristine land acquired by Craggy Range was situated in the Gimblett Gravels winegrowing district in Hawke’s Bay on New Zealand’s North Island. Here, they meticulously cultivated nearly 100 hectares of vineyards, planting a variety of grape varietals, including Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Franc. The stony, sandy alluvial soils of Gimblett Gravels bear a striking resemblance to the esteemed terroirs of Bordeaux’s Médoc region and the northern Rhône’s Hermitage appellation. Today, the Gimblett Gravels sites, along with the Kidnappers Vineyard near Te Awanga in Hawke’s Bay, play a pivotal role in Craggy Range’s exceptional wine portfolio.
Venturing into “Warm-Cool” Regions
Craggy Range also extended its reach to the “warm-cool” regions of Martinborough in the south of the North Island, followed by Marlborough and Nelson, located just across the Cook Strait at the top of the South Island. The Te Muna Road vineyard in Martinborough, the primary source of Craggy Range’s Pinot Noir, stands on clay-rich rocky soils, while Sauvignon Blanc vines flourish in gravelly soils. Sites on the stony soils of Marlborough and Nelson have been instrumental in producing Craggy Range’s outstanding Sauvignon Blanc and Riesling.
In the cool continental climate of Central Otago in the south of the South Island, small parcels of Pinot Noir were meticulously planted on old clay and weathered soils within the Cromwell basin, east of Queenstown. Nearby, in the Waitaki Valley, Craggy Range made history by establishing Pinot Gris vines on limestone-rich alluvial soils.
Winemaking Craftsmanship
Craggy Range prides itself on its commitment to excellence, which begins with the careful harvesting of grapes by hand. The majority of their wines are crafted at the modern Gimblett Gravels winery in Fernhill, adjacent to the vineyards and barrel hall. Another facility, the Giants winery, located under the iconic Te Mata Peak in Havelock North, serves as the public face of Craggy Range. Visitors can enjoy wine-tasting experiences, dine in a fine-dining restaurant, and even stay in boutique accommodations. The winery tour takes you to the Sophia barrel hall, where the prestigious Merlot-dominant Bordeaux blend, Sophia, is meticulously fermented in 8,000-liter French oak vats. Adjacent to this space is the Quarry barrel hall, where Sophia and its Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant sister blend, The Quarry, mature after blending. Both wines are aged for 18 months in French oak barrels, 36% of which are new.
A Name for Every Wine
Craggy Range is known for naming its prestige wines with iconic titles that hold special significance. For instance, Sophia, a Bordeaux blend predominantly featuring Merlot, is named after the actress Sophia Loren, adding a touch of glamour to the wine’s story. The Quarry, on the other hand, derives its name from the history of the land it stands on. In 1876, extensive flooding in Hawke’s Bay led many to consider the exposed soil as wasteland, suitable only for quarrying. However, a group of local vignerons saw potential in this land, and today, it is a prestigious vineyard.
Le Sol, meaning “earth” or “soil” in French, beautifully captures the distinct expression of the Gimblett Gravels terroir in its 100% Syrah. Le Sol 2020, made with 56% whole-bunch fruit, undergoes natural fermentation in 38% new French and Austrian barriques and puncheons, followed by a 17-month aging process. The prestige Chardonnay, Les Beaux Cailloux, takes its name from the small pebbles that surround the vines in Gimblett Gravels. The 2020 vintage is aged for 10 months in 33% new French oak. Lastly, the Aroha Pinot Noir, sourced from the Te Muna site in Martinborough, embodies the Maori word for “love.” The 2020 Aroha is made with 70% whole-bunch fruit and is wild-yeast fermented in a mix of open-top stainless-steel tanks and French oak vats before aging in barriques for 14 months with 34% new oak. A new project is underway at Te Muna to develop a high-density, dry-grown site that further accentuates the harmony between Pinot Noir and the land it is grown on.
A Commitment to the Earth
Craggy Range’s deep-rooted connection with the earth is a fundamental aspect of its winemaking philosophy. The winery’s biodiversity project is one of the most ambitious undertakings by a New Zealand wine brand. Almost 50 hectares of land have been replanted with native trees to encourage more birdlife, reflecting the Peabody family’s commitment to giving back to the land. The next step in their journey is the conversion to organic winemaking, with an eye on a sustainable future that spans generations. As David Peabody Jr., the marketing manager and a third-generation family member, eloquently puts it, “We want to be here for the next thousand years.”
A Global Reputation
Craggy Range’s dedication to quality, consistency, and longevity has earned it a global reputation that is second to none. In a significant move this year, Craggy Range joined La Place de Bordeaux, making history as the first New Zealand winery to be part of this historic négociant network. Le Sol 2020 and Aroha 2020 proudly represent New Zealand alongside Destiny Bay’s Magna Praemia 2019 from Waiheke Island. These wines will be represented by two of Bordeaux’s oldest négociants, CVBG and Mähler-Besse, in both Europe and Asia. This decision underscores the notion that New Zealand has firmly established its place in the world of fine wine and pays tribute to the special vineyard sites in Gimblett Gravels and Te Muna Road that were discovered years ago, reflecting the enduring legacy of Craggy Range.
