Description

ABOUT THE PRODUCER:
Established in 1998, Craggy Range is a family-owned winery situated in the shadows of the spectacular Te Mata Peak in Hawke’s Bay. With an unrelenting focus on quality, Craggy Range produces a collection of iconic wines from their estate vineyards in Hawke’s Bay, Martinborough, and Marlborough. When owners Terry and Mary Peabody first set out to start a winery, they looked down from Te Mata Peak onto the land where Craggy Range now stands, and they were clear that they wanted to create wines which truly evoked the unique landscapes and heritage of the region. Since then, Craggy Range has developed into an iconic New Zealand winery which has never lost sight of its sense of place, or its family ties. Heavily invested in social and environmental sustainability, they are certified by SWNZ and have created initiatives such as the Children’s Christmas Foundation.

THE VINTAGE:
A moderate spring gave way to average temperatures during the ripening season. The 2023 vintage was defined by several large rain events, consequently picking and selection were critical.

ABOUT THE VINEYARD:
The grapes come from the Te Muna Road vineyard in Wairarapa subregion of Martinborough, in the southeastern corner of the North Island. The vineyard consists of two distinct terraces, the upper terrace comprising very old, stony clay-infused soils perfect for Pinot Noir. The cooler climate of Martinborough ensures the wine is aromatic with steely minerality while the rocky soils impart intensity of fruit. The region’s warm, dry summers and mild winters lead to complex and structured wines with subtle aromatics and an elegant finish. The vines are VSP trained to allow appropriate airflow and capture sunlight. Pruning techniques are being evolved to improve sap flow and reduce trunk disease. Working towards a more organic approach, herbicides are being minimised, cover crops are being introduced, and the vineyard team is moving towards a more organic-based spray programme. The grapes are hand-harvested.

THE WINEMAKING PROCESS:
This fruit was hand harvested and carefully sorted. The grapes were 100% destemmed and fermented with selected and indigenous yeasts, in open-top stainless-steel tanks and French oak vats, using gentle extraction methods. The wine was aged in French oak barriques for 10 months, of which 21% were new.

OUR TASTING NOTES:
A fine, ethereal Pinot Noir with evocative notes of lavender, jasmine, sweet spice underpinned by ripe, red-berried fruits. The silky tannins enhance the flow through to a supremely elegant finish.

GRAPE VARIETY:
Pinot Noir 100%.