Wine introduction summary

• Craggy Range offers premium wines and is recognised worldwide
• Martinborough's soil and climate are similar to Burgundy, and it is attracting attention as a rare Pinot Noir producing region.
• We do not use whole-cluster fermentation, and instead use 100% destemming to emphasize the pure flavor of the grapes.
• Deep ruby color, raspberry and floral aromas, complex notes of licorice and humus, fine tannins, elegant aftertaste.
• It goes well with dishes that are not too strong and make the most of the flavor of the ingredients.
• It can also be aged in bottle for 5 to 8 years, making it the perfect companion for special dinners.

A Pinot that shows Martinborough's strength

Craggy Range is a winery whose goal is to deliver wines that are chosen by premium restaurants around the world.

It is this wine that has led the world's top sommeliers and wine critics to say that Martinborough Pinot Noir is world class .

Martinborough was surveyed in the 1970s and it was discovered that the soil, temperature and rainfall were similar to those of Burgundy, which led to many producers coming here to make premium Pinot Noir.

Currently, New Zealand's wine production accounts for 1% of the world's wine production, and Martinborough's wine production accounts for about 1% of New Zealand's total.

The vineyard area is approximately 95 hectares, the size of a village in Burgundy, making Martinborough a rare Pinot Noir producing region in the world.

Craggy Range, which I will introduce today, was founded in 1998. Its headquarters is in Hawke's Bay, but its other base is here in Martinborough.

Their Te Muna Road Vineyard is located in the cooler part of Martinborough, and they plant a variety of Pinot Noir clones, selecting and cultivating those that are best suited to this location.

Recently, at a master class seminar held in Tokyo, I had the opportunity to hear David Peabody Jr., the third generation owner of Craggy Range, explain about this wine.

According to him, 2023 was a challenging year for the winery, as it was affected by the cyclone that hit the North Island. However, after the cyclone passed, they did not use clones that are sensitive to humidity, and instead selected and used only grapes that are resistant to humidity, which allowed them to create a wine of quality that is comparable to that of previous years.

In a normal year, they would use whole-cluster fermentation, but in 2023, they removed 100% of the stems to bring out the pure flavor of the grapes.

Fermented in 225-liter French oak barrels with wild yeast, the wine is aged for 10 months, with 21% new oak.

Now, let's move on to the tasting.

The color is a deep ruby red .

The scent is of bright berries such as raspberry , and also has a floral scent like jasmine .

The taste continues the same impression of the aroma, with the addition of layered complexity of licorice and humus . The tannins are dense and the aftertaste is very elegant .

It's hard to believe that this was a year of damage caused by a cyclone, but the workmanship is excellent and shows just how skilled they are.

Examples of foods that go well with this wine include:

• Duck confit
• Herb Grilled Gizzard
• Porcini and Parmesan Risotto
• Sauteed salmon with mushroom sauce

"Food that is not too rich and makes use of the natural flavor of the ingredients" is perfect.

It can also be enjoyed after aging in bottle for 5 to 8 years.

Be sure to add some elegance to your special dinner with this wine.

About the Winery "Craggy Range"

Craggy Range is a family-run winery established in Hawke's Bay on New Zealand's North Island in 1998. In 1993, founder Terry Peabody and his wife Mary decided to create a family legacy that could be passed on to the next generation.

Notably, they were adamant about starting with greenfield land rather than purchasing existing vineyards. After searching for land in France, America and Australia, they were ultimately seduced by the potential of New Zealand, where the region's mild climate, rich agricultural history and pioneering people perfectly matched the Peabody family's ideals.

Set against the stunning backdrop of the majestic Te Mata Peak, Craggy Range produces premium wines from grapes harvested in two iconic wine-growing regions, Hawke's Bay and Martinborough, showcasing the unique character of each site.

(Source: https://craggyrange.com/ )

The special vineyards of Hawke's Bay, Gimlet Gravels, take advantage of the warm stony soils to produce Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Chardonnay, while the cooler Te Muna Road vineyards in Martinborough feature old clay soils for Pinot Noir and limestone gravel for Sauvignon Blanc.

The winery's main facility is located in the heart of Gimlet Gravels, with individual cellars designed to suit each wine, with Giants Winery using French oak barrels to create the complex and special wine Sofia.

(Source: https://craggyrange.com/ )

The quality and uniqueness of their wines has been highly praised, and they were ranked number one in The Real Review's Top New Zealand Wineries 2023. In 2014, they were also named New World Winery of the Year by Wine Enthusiast magazine.

In addition to wine, restaurants and accommodations are also popular, offering visitors a luxurious and comfortable experience, including seasonal menus using fresh local ingredients. In addition, the "Children's Christmas" project, established in 2018, is engaged in activities to deliver Christmas presents to underprivileged children in Hawke's Bay.

In addition, we are committed to sustainable winemaking and are aiming to convert all of our vineyards to organic. We value coexistence with the natural environment and continue to work to produce high-quality wines while protecting microorganisms and biodiversity.

The Peabody family established a 1000-year trust to ensure the winery would never be sold and would remain in the family. This long-term approach, combined with a strong commitment to economic, social and environmental sustainability, has established Craggy Range as a key winery, showcasing the potential of New Zealand wine to the world.

Craggy Range Pinot Noir Te Muna Road Vineyard, Martinborough 2023

item	Content
Winery Name	Craggy Range
Country of Origin	new zealand
Origin	Wairarapa/Martinborough
kinds	red
Grape variety	Pinot Noir
Vintage	2023
Alcohol content	12.5%
capacity	750ml
remarks	Screw Cap