Craggy Range is fortunate to have 100 hectares of this famous 850 hectare area
In 1876, great floods swept through the Hawke's Bay region of New Zealand. When they subsided, the Ngaruroro River had changed its course and a vista of gravel was left behind in a warm, sun-filled valley, greened lightly with spring rains. It was seen by most as a useless wasteland, only fit to quarry, until the local vignerons saved the land for wine. On the right bank of this old river the vignerons saw several terroirs - different soil mixes, stone and mineral rich, suitable for different vines. Perhaps Chardonnay where the river had left a little less stone and cooler breezes? Merlot and Cabernet Franc where there was more stone and warmth, even Syrah and parcels of Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec.
Craggy Range is fortunate to have 100 hectares of this famous 850 hectare area and our Gimblett Gravels Vineyard is widely regarded amongst the very best vineyards for Bordeaux Reds and Syrah in New Zealand.
Its unique location creates the warmest vineyard area in the country, where other climatic factors such as sunshine hours, humidity and rainfall are also ideal. The stony soils further warm the entire environment of the vine and create excellent soil conditions for making ultra premium red wines from these varieties. The stylistic characters of red wines from the vineyard are richness, ripeness and elegance with a distinctive fine dusty tannin finish.
'One of the greatest moments of my career was when the 2002 Craggy Range Sophia from our great Gimblett Gravels Vineyard was referred to by Robert Parker Jnr as possible to be mistaken for Cheval Blanc.' ~ TJ Peabody
Gimblett Gravels Vineyard Technical Details Gimblett Gravels Association