2025 Craggy Range Te Muna Road Pinot Gris, Martinborough

Craggy Range Te Muna Road Pinot Gris is a beautifully expressive cool-climate white from Martinborough, combining delicate aromatics with refined texture and bright acidity. Craggy Range, founded in 1997 by the Peabody family, has become one of New Zealand’s most respected wineries, known for producing single-vineyard wines that reflect the character of their exceptional sites. The Te Muna Road Vineyard lies just outside the Martinborough township on an elevated terrace of ancient alluvial gravels, perfectly suited to crafting elegant, mineral-driven Pinot Gris.

The Te Muna site experiences cooler night-time temperatures than the main Martinborough Terrace, thanks to its elevation and exposure to southern breezes. This extended ripening period allows the grapes to develop fine, complex flavours while retaining crisp natural acidity. The vines are rooted in free-draining, gravelly soils with a thin loess layer, which encourages low yields and concentrated fruit. Grapes are harvested at optimal ripeness, gently pressed, and fermented mainly in stainless steel to preserve freshness, with a portion matured on lees to build subtle texture and complexity. No oak is used, keeping the focus on the fruit and site expression.

In the glass, Te Muna Road Pinot Gris is pale straw with green highlights. Aromas of pear, white peach, honeysuckle, and citrus blossom rise elegantly from the glass, supported by hints of spice and wet stone. The palate is medium bodied and finely balanced, with juicy orchard fruit and floral flavours carried by crisp acidity and a soft, textural mid-palate. A subtle mineral edge runs through the finish, adding length and finesse.

This Pinot Gris is excellent with dishes like grilled prawns, seared scallops, Thai salads with lime and chilli, or creamy pasta with spring vegetables. It also pairs beautifully with soft cheeses and lightly spiced Asian dishes. Best enjoyed within 3 to 5 years of vintage to capture its vibrant fruit and floral freshness, though it can develop gentle honeyed complexity with short-term cellaring.