Craggy Range – Our Winery of the Month

Like Craggy Range, Glengarry continues to be 100% family owned and proudly so.  Big fans of Craggy Range wines, it’s more than appropriate that Craggy Range features as our Winery of the Month for December.

The magic of Craggy Range comes from the vineyards; that statement in itself is not new, there are lots of wineries that will tell you the very same thing. Only a few though will have the thorough understanding of soil and site that Craggy Range do. Craggy Range was established in the late 90’s when American born Terry and Mary Peabody set out to create a family legacy; a winery that would survive for generations and continue to be 100% family owned and managed. Once they had decided upon New Zealand they were introduced to Steve Smith who was the first specialist viticulturist in the world to pass the Master of Wine Examination. Steve and Terry set about searching for vineyard land and in the process established the concept that continues at Craggy Range today – producing only single vineyard wines across various regions.

Matt Stafford’s background is in the science of soil and today he is the head winemaker at Craggy Range. The top range from Craggy are their Prestige wines which are from parts of the single vineyards that produce the best fruit. The selection is done in the vineyard, not later on in the winery with a selection of barrels.

In our December promotion you’ll find all the usual suspects, with some welcome additions. We have three very exciting back vintage releases. These are small parcels that have been made available just for Glengarry stores. Craggy Range Sophia 2011 is from the Prestige Collection, a wine that takes its blending inspiration from Bordeaux; like wines from that region in France, there’s significance in presenting the 2011 vintage. 2011 was not exceptional in Hawke’s Bay, though despite that there were prestige wines made by Craggy Range in 2011. In exceptional vintages, Sophia is a very long lived wine; this 2011 then, from a vintage that did not draw attention from all corners of the world, is a wine that is ready to enjoy now. Like the wines from so called lesser vintages in Bordeaux, this is a wine that is ready to enjoy earlier.

The second back vintage release is Te Muna Pinot Noir 2013; also drinking very well right now, this wine has no less than 6 Gold Medals in the cabinet. So, what does a wine with such pedigree and maturity, having been stored carefully at Craggy Range until now, set you back? Well no more than $36.99 – that’s great buying.

The third back vintage release is the Craggy Range Gimblett Gravels Syrah 2012, a wine from a vintage where no prestige wines were made. The fruit destined for those wines being put into this wine instead.

We also have in store a very small quantity of Magnums of the exceptional 2015 Prestige Collection release – Sophia, Le Sol and Aroha.

As well as showcasing Craggy Range during December, we are also selling tickets for a Behind the Scenes tour of Craggy Range in February next year. You’ll need to find your way to the Hawke’s Bay, from there, we’ll meet you and take you with us to tour Craggy Range. The day will include a winery tour, tasting and lunch. The access and wines presented, not anything usually available to the public; this is a rare opportunity to go behind the scenes at Craggy Range with the team from Glengarry.

www.glengarry.co.nz


Issue 83 Dec 2017 / Jan 2018