Craggy Range presents 4 wines in its 2024 Prestige Collection

Release and continuity

Craggy Range released its 2024 Prestige Collection on 1 September. The set comprises 4 wines, and 3—Le Sol, Sophia and Les Beaux Cailloux—have counterparts in the inaugural 2001 Prestige release, although Les Beaux Cailloux then came from another vineyard. Quarry was also part of the 2001 set, but Quarry 2024 remained unreleased and unreviewed when the report was written.¹

The 2024 vintage was Craggy Range’s 25th harvest in Hawke’s Bay, while vines across its sites were already more than 25 years old. Chief winemaker Ben Tombs said that maturity had deepened the team’s knowledge of the vineyards. The 2024 season was also his 1st year in charge after succeeding Julian Grounds.¹

The released wines were assessed in blind line-ups in July before going on sale. They were subsequently tasted again after an additional 2 months in bottle.¹

Vineyards, season and winemaking

The collection represents 2 subregions. Aroha comes from the Te Muna Vineyard in Martinborough, while Sophia, Le Sol, Les Beaux Cailloux and the still-pending Quarry originate at the Gimblett Gravels vineyard in Hawke’s Bay.¹

A small crop followed a long, dry season that was not excessively hot in 2024. Aroha and Le Sol were judged the leading wines of the set, with depth, persistence and finesse. Across the collection, the fruit and winemaking produced an emphasis on precision, purity and elegance rather than sheer scale or power.¹

Aroha was made with 85–88% whole bunches, and some lots fermented in sandstone amphorae. The Abel clone was excluded in 2024; fruit instead came from blocks planted to clones 114 and 667.¹

Le Sol included fruit from Blocks 10 and 11, its regular sources, plus a component from Block 14 that fermented entirely in wooden vats. The winemaking also employed whole bunches and concrete Nico Velo eggs. Maturation lasted 18 months in French oak and Austrian Stockinger barrels.¹

Les Beaux Cailloux

Les Beaux Cailloux 2024 came from 2 low-yielding Gimblett Gravels blocks. The original blocks behind the 2001 wine had been removed and replanted more than 10 years earlier. Tombs selected Mendoza from Block 34 and Clone 95 from Block 40.¹

The whole bunches were pressed and the juice settled overnight before transfer to 1 new barrique and 2 puncheons for spontaneous fermentation and full malolactic conversion. The winery retains healthy lees from the preceding vintage and adds a portion to the next harvest’s juice, maintaining a continuous fermentation culture.¹

Sophia

Sophia is matured at the Giants winery in Hawke’s Bay, also home to Craggy Range’s restaurant and visitor facilities. The 2024 blend is 79% merlot, 14% cabernet franc and 7% cabernet sauvignon. Although it reached 14.5% alcohol, the wine was described as fragrant and fluid, with the floral and herbal character of its varieties intact.¹

The parcels were harvested separately at maturity. After bunch sorting, careful destemming preserved as many whole berries as possible before a further berry selection. Each parcel then fermented separately in closed French oak vats. The resulting style continued Sophia’s movement toward greater elegance, with less overt oak and extraction.¹

Cellaring and reviews

The 3 red wines are already technically approachable, but the recommendation was to give these 2024 releases at least 5 or 6 years of development before opening them. The source says that they should reward cellaring, particularly in view of their prices.¹

Craggy Range Aroha Te Muna Pinot Noir 2024 ranked 6th of 31 Martinborough Pinot Noirs and carried the Top Value NZ designation. The review awarded 5/5 and 97/100, with a drinking window of 2029–2042. Its black raspberry, cherry and violet aromas are joined by cinnamon-toned oak; the concentrated, firmly framed palate combines abundant fruit and spice with length, intensity and a smooth texture. Stephen Wong reviewed it on 14 July 2026, and the listed price was NZD 200.¹

Craggy Range Sophia 2024 placed 4th of 18 New Zealand red Bordeaux blends and was designated Top Value NZ. It received 5/5 and 96/100, with a suggested window of 2028–2042. Blackberry, blackcurrant, truffle, leather and smoky oak lead into a dense palate supported by firm tannins; olive, cocoa and earthy notes are balanced by lively acidity, redcurrant, flowers and a tangy freshness. Stephen Wong’s review was dated 8 July 2026, and the price was NZD 170.¹

Craggy Range Le Sol 2024 ranked 2nd of 23 Hawke’s Bay Shiraz wines and carried the Top Value NZ designation. Scored 5/5 and 97/100, it was assigned a drinking window of 2026–2041. Cedar, vanilla and cream surround violet, plum and blackberry, with emerging molasses and cinnamon; black fruit, olive, spice and creamy oak fill the palate, while substantial gripping tannins sit beneath its youthful richness. Stephen Wong reviewed it on 14 July 2026, and the listed price was NZD 200.¹

Craggy Range Les Beaux Cailloux 2024 placed 10th of 70 Hawke’s Bay Chardonnays and was designated Top Value NZ. It earned 5/5 and 95/100, with a drinking window of 2028–2038. Flint, lemon pith and grapefruit introduce a reductive style whose creamy, rounded fruit includes mirabelle and apricot before phenolic and smoky notes return. The review advised about 2 more years for the wine to settle, while finding sufficient substance and length to justify waiting. Stephen Wong reviewed it on 14 July 2026, and the price was NZD 180.¹