That's a load of bronze bovine right there

HEARTY WELCOME: New sculptures unveiled yesterday at Craggy Range's Giants Winery in Havelock North. PHOTO/PAUL TAYLOR

Spontaneous applause greeted Craggy Range's Giants Winery's latest residents.

A family of charolais cattle sculptures grace the lawn of the winery, the work of acclaimed British sculptor Paul Day.

More than twice the size of live charolaise, the bull, cow and calf have a natural presence on Craggy's lawn beneath Te Mata Peak.

Terry and Mary Peabody commissioned the work for the family-owned winery after visiting Mr Day's studio while touring the Burgundy wine region last year.

They had not seen his renowned London monuments, including a Battle of Britain memorial and a monument to the Queen Mother, but took an immediate liking to his work.

Mr Day, accustomed to working in an urban environment, said he became enthused for the project when looking at the Havelock North site on Google Earth.

Charolais graze his Burgundy farm "so I sat sketching in fields and listening to these creatures munching".

He said Giants Winery could appear imposing but the family grouping "softens the experience as you come in".

The bronze bovines will be lit at night.

"The artist has done a wonderful job," Mr Peabody said.

Before unveiling the sculptures, Hastings Mayor Lawrence Yule noted the Queen had completed that particular task for previous sculptures by Mr Day.

"I apologise, I am the best we can do," he said.

After the unveiling ceremony, Queensland-based art dealer and patron Philip Bacon hosted a discussion on landscape and agriculture, and how it affected them in their own areas of individual "artistry".

A four-course wine-matched dinner was enjoyed at Craggy's Terroir Restaurant, which offers an excellent view of the new artwork and itsreflection on the adjoining pond.