Craggy Range Winery, Part 1: Giants
by
Kathy and Terry Sullivan
Summary: With a production of around 200,000 cases, Graggy Range is in the middle of production quantities for New Zealand wine producers. Craggy Range is not one winery but actually several winery facilities. One site is located in the Gimblett Gravels winegrowing region. The Giants winery is located in Havelock North. This winery has a cellar door (tasting room), restaurant, vineyards and winery.
This location was chosen for its dramatic background of Te Mata Peak. Giants refers to these high stony peaks. With a nearby pond and the Te Mata Peak, visitors should visit the winery with a camera. The peaks form a dramatic background for photographying the vineyards and winery. The outside of the winery is stylistic with sandstone-covered walls contrasting with an off-white stone. Plenty of glass creates well lit areas throughout the winery, cellar door and restaurant. Plan to stay for lunch at the Terroir Restaurant on the property. Seating is available inside and outside.
The Winery
Our group toured the winery. The pine ceiling offers a dramatic color contrast to the cement walls and floors of the winery. Oak barrels are in temperature controlled rooms with some barrels stacked four high. In another room, oak barrels age wine. In this cellar the barrels are not stacked and the subdued lighting creates an old-world feel. Stainless steel tanks line a wall in another area of the winery.
A circular room has large wood tanks. This room also serves as an event room. The tanks line the circumferance of the room providing plenty of space in the middle. We tasted several wines in this room with the winemaker, Rod Easthope.
White Wines
Sauvignon Blanc Martinborough 2009 was a straw color and offered tropical nuances. The taste had notes of lime and stone fruit. The finish was crisp with hints of lime. The grapes for this wine were from the Te Muna Road Vineyard. Chardonnay Hawke’s Bay 2009 was a straw color. The aroma had notes of pear and some apple. The taste offered pear, apple and citrus nuances. The finish was crisp with citrus notes.
Red Wines
Pinot Noir Bendigo 2008 Central Otago offered a red fruit jam aroma and taste. The crisp finish had mild tannins with a fruity, earthy aftertaste. Syrah Hawke’s Bay 2008 Gimblett Gravels was a ruby color. The aroma and taste offered red fruit and white pepper nuances. The wine finished with tannins and black pepper. Te Kahu 2008 Hawke’s Bay was a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec. This purple wine offered an aroma and taste of black fruit salad nuances. The finish had tannins with fruity notes.
A long tasting bar in the cellar door can accommodate several wine tasters. The cellar door is large and has plenty of space to walk around. Craggy Range wines are displayed under aerial photographs of vineyards. In addition to wines, the retail area also offers clothing apparel.
When traveling to the Hawke’s Bay region in New Zealand, be sure to visit Craggy Range Havelock North. Take plenty of photos in this beautiful setting. On the day of our visit, a film crew was shooting for a movie.
Read about the Gragy Range Gimblett Gravels facility in Hawke’s Bay.
Craggy Range Winery
253 Waimarama Road
Havelock North
Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand
