Craggy Range
Although technology is an integral part of farming, it isn't in charge. The vines are managed in balance with their environment in a system of sustainable ecological viticulture. Pruning, removal of excess shoots and foliage, thinning and arranging developing shoots into supporting wires are all done by hand.
This sense of the natural order weaves a strand through Craggy Range. The winemaking style encourages texture, complexity, character and above all balance.
Vineyards
Craggy Range work with vineyards across New Zealand, every Craggy Range wine is made from a single vineyard, and each single vineyard is split into as many as 60 different parcels for reasons such differences in soil type, different viticultural techniques, different winemaking techniques or use of a different barrel types. All can affect the finished wine so are kept to retain the unique characteristics of each.
Winemaking
Craggy Range make their wines in two wineries, both located in Hawkes Bay. The stunning Giants winery in the shadow of the Te Mata Peak is where the flagship Merlot based wine Sophia is made using French oak cuves.
The Pinot Noirs, Syrahs, Sauvignons, Chardonnays and Rieslings are made at the Highway 50 winery. Here 100 different fermentation vessels mean the many different parcels to be fermented and matured separately allowing great flexibility to make lots as small as 100 cases.
Only French oak from the Troncais, Allier and Vosges forests are used at Craggy Range.
