Top wine award for NZ vineyard

Judges were impressed with Craggy Range's architecture and landscape as well as its wines.

Hawkes Bay label named best new world winery

A Hawkes Bay vineyard has won a top international wine award.

Craggy Range vineyard near Havelock North has been named the best new world winery by prestigious US wine magazine, The Wine Enthusiast.

New world wine is made in countries with young viticulture industries, including the Americas, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand.

The owner of Craggy Range, Terry Peabody, who is based in Brisbane, said the award was the highest accolade the recognised winery had won to date.

"This is the epitome," he said. "We are very pleased with a lot of the awards we have won but this is probably the most prominent award in the wine industry.

"The award is recognition of the meticulous attention to detail we have given to ensure our wines are never compromised at any step of their journey."

Mr Peabody established the vineyard in 1997 with his wife Mary and the ambition of creating a lasting family legacy.

"We set out with the aim of creating a new world wine legacy that will prevail for 1000 years, where the wines are inspired by old world styles but nurtured in the finest new world terroir."

Wine Enthusiast managing editor Joe Czerwinski said the New Zealand vineyard had shown promise in a short space of time.

"The first vintage released was in 2002, so it's really only been around for a dozen years or 15 years, but from its very inception its wines are very progressed."

He said the vineyard had produced quality wines that impressed judges and beat out competition from around the world.

"Not only are they making really quality wine but they are doing it on a scale large enough to warrant recognition on the world stage.

"There are lots of really boutique wineries, but the way the Peabody family has approached it, they have really gone for it with all the acreage they have harvested and planted and made wine from, they have affirmed that they have really lofty ambitions."

Aside from the wine, the architecture of the vineyard's buildings, its high quality restaurant and landscape of its grounds were also admirable, said Mr Czerwinski.

New Zealand Wine Growers Association chief executive Philip Gregan said the recognition was a coup for the country's wine industry. "Obviously a great result for Craggy Range but also very positive affirmation for NZ wine in a very important market."

3 things about Craggy Range

Started in 1997 by Australian Terry Peabody, who is based in Brisbane.

Its restaurant, Terroir at Craggy Range, serves an $84.50 roasted pork rack for two, with 50 minutes cooking time allowed for.

MasterChef India judge and celebrity chef Kunal Kapur visited last year.