Tasting our way through Craggy Range Winery in Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand
Nestled beneath the dramatic escarpment of Te Mata Peak in Hawke’s Bay, Craggy Range Winery stands as one of New Zealand’s most prestigious wine destinations. This family-owned estate has become synonymous with exceptional wines that capture the essence of their unique terroir. A visit to Craggy Range offers an unforgettable experience that combines world-class wines, stunning architecture, and breathtaking natural beauty.
The Story Behind Sophia
Among Craggy Range’s most celebrated wines is their flagship Bordeaux-style blend, Sophia. This elegant wine carries a name steeped in meaning and tradition. Sophia, meaning ‘wisdom’ in Greek mythology, pays tribute to the goddess of knowledge and experience, information and understanding – a philosophy adopted by our winemakers and viticulturists when creating this wine. The wine represents the culmination of the winemaker’s art and their deep understanding of the land. It also honours the family scion’s admiration for Sophia Loren. Legend has it that he sent her the first batch of Sophia wines and she wrote back complimenting it!
“I’d much rather eat pasta and drink wine than be size 0”- Sophia Loren
Produced entirely from Craggy Range’s Gimblett Gravels Vineyard, nestled on the right bank of the Ngaruroro River, Sophia is a blend of the very best Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot and Malbec parcels of the vineyard. Each vintage tells the story of its exceptional terroir through layers of complex flavours and refined elegance.
The Wine Tasting Experience
The Craggy Range Wine Experience commences at five seatings each day – 10.30am, 12.00pm, 1.30pm, 3.00pm, and 4.30pm. The intimate tasting room offers visitors a chance to explore the estate’s impressive portfolio in comfortable, relaxed surroundings. During this semi-private experience, you can sample five of Craggy Range’s current release wines from the Family Collection alongside their flagship Prestige Collection wine, Sophia. This experience, offered at five seatings each day, concludes with a tour of our fermentation rooms and underground cellar.
The tasting experience provides insight into the winery’s philosophy of single vineyard winemaking. Guests learn about the unique characteristics of the Gimblett Gravels terroir and how the stony soils contribute to the distinctive mineral qualities found in their wines. The underground cellar tour reveals the careful attention to detail that goes into crafting each bottle.
The Restaurant: A Culinary Destination
Recipient of two hats and the coveted title of Winery Restaurant of the Year at the Cuisine Good Food Awards, the Craggy Range Restaurant offers an intimate, comfortable, and relaxed space to enjoy Hawke’s Bay produce alongside Craggy Range wines. The restaurant seamlessly blends exceptional cuisine with the estate’s award-winning wines, creating perfect harmony between food and wine.
Head Chef Casey McDonald crafts menus that celebrate the best of Hawke’s Bay’s seasonal produce. The restaurant’s setting provides spectacular views of Te Mata Peak and the surrounding vineyards, creating an unforgettable dining atmosphere. Each dish is thoughtfully paired with Craggy Range wines, allowing guests to experience how the estate’s terroir translates from vineyard to glass to plate.
The restaurant’s architectural design complements the winery’s overall aesthetic. From the distinctive circular drum shape of the Restaurant to the solid containment of the red wine fermentation area, each space offers a unique perspective on winemaking. The stunning backdrop enhances every meal, making dining here a truly memorable experience.
Stay Among the Vines
Located at Craggy Range’s the Garden Cottages and luxury Lodges offer boutique accommodation among the vines, under the escarpment of Te Mata Peak. The estate provides several accommodation options for visitors who want to extend their wine country experience.
The Vineyard Cottages offer boutique accommodation with either one or two bedrooms, each with their own private terrace overlooking the vineyard. The cottages are set amongst the vines and have well-appointed kitchens and living areas, all with free standing wood burners to keep you warm. These self-contained cottages provide the perfect base for exploring the region while being immersed in the vineyard landscape.
The Garden Cottages offer a spacious feel with luxurious finishes in line with the Craggy Range Lodge. Each of the two bedrooms have east-facing private terraces as well as en suite bathrooms. The well-appointed open kitchen offers a perfect space for dining in. The comfortable and cosy living area offers a sweeping vista of Te Mata Peak, providing an ideal location to relax by the wood-burning fire while enjoying a bottle of Craggy Range wine.
Craggy Range continues to evolve their accommodation offerings, with new developments planned to enhance the guest experience. We were given a sneak preview of the impressive four-bedroom cottage that was to get ready soon.
Planning Your Visit
A visit to Craggy Range offers multiple ways to experience this exceptional estate. Whether you choose a wine tasting, dining experience, or overnight stay, you’ll discover why this winery has earned its reputation as one of New Zealand’s finest. The combination of world-class wines, stunning architecture, exceptional cuisine, and luxurious accommodation creates an experience that captures the very best of Hawke’s Bay wine country.
From the wisdom embodied in their flagship Sophia to the spectacular setting beneath Te Mata Peak, Craggy Range represents the pinnacle of New Zealand winemaking excellence. Each element of your visit reinforces the estate’s commitment to quality and their deep understanding of what makes great wine truly exceptional.
