We stayed on site in the 2 bd, 2 bath place and it was excellent service, breakfast is in your room each day (too much food for the two of us to eat, good snacks for the day), there’s complimentary wine and additional wine for purchase, the restaurant is phenomenal and well priced and the estate is fun to walk around. A must stop on your New Zealand adventure!
James Cartwright★★★★★
What a wonderful experience my wife and I had at Craggy Range on Christmas Eve. The views from the restaurant are incredible and it was great to be able to sit outside on the patio before our lunch with a nice glass of wine.
We had the tasting menu with matching wines and it was all superb. All of the food was brilliant and my wife had an excellent vegan menu which she enjoyed. A massive thank you to Ocean who was our server, she was so friendly and had a great knowledge of all of the wines.
Анастасия Мостепаненко★☆☆☆☆
That was a big disappointment. We had a wine tasting that was probably the worst one we had ever had and totally overpriced. The wines we tasted weren’t anything special at all, staff is nice and friendly, but that’s about it. The whole place is just so overhyped and commercial. No soul in any of those wines, which are also waaay overpriced. Tasting that we paid 50 NZD each for was just a waste, I’m sorry. For the first time in my life I didnt like ANY of the wines that I tasted, plus the tasting selection was extremely limited. Sorry, but after reading how famous this winery is, was unpleasantly surprised to find its cellar door of such a poor quality. Sorry!
Sam Hammett★★★★★
The Giants experience wine tasting was the highlight of my trip to Craggy Range, interesting and fun with a great selection of wines.
The meal in the restaurant was good too, some beautiful dishes in taste and presentation. The service fell a bit behind, they were trying but not as well trained as you’d expect in a place like this.
Stephen Pinter★★★★★
If you are reading this review...Welcome to Craggy Range, where the breathtaking backdrop of Te Mata Peak looms large, casting its shadow over Hawke’s Bay like a proud sentinel. This is not just a winery, it’s a culinary must for anyone serious about food and wine. Established in 1998, this family owned haven has carved out a reputation for itself, producing wines that are as iconic as the landscape that cradles them.
As you step onto the meticulously manicured grounds, you’re greeted by a choice of inviting dining spaces, both indoors and out that beckon you to explore. The restaurant is a celebration of seasonal, local produce, and we dove headfirst into the set menu, an experience that felt like a masterclass in flavor.
We kicked things off with a duo of starters that set the tone for what was to come. The venison tartare, paired with a crispy potato rosti and a tarragon sauce, was a revelation. It was bold yet balanced, a true testament to the kitchen's skill. The potato and leek fritter with black garlic mayonnaise was a comforting nod to home, but elevated to something extraordinary.
Next, we were treated to a first course that danced on the palate. The beetroot-cured salmon, dressed with lovage and horseradish cream, was a vibrant explosion of freshness, while the marinated octopus with vegetable escabeche and rouille brought a touch of Mediterranean flair that was utterly captivating.
Then came the second act: roasted Hohepa halloumi drizzled with burnt honey, perfectly complemented by lemon-dressed beetroot and candied walnuts. And the crispy duck tonkatsu. A crunchy, savory delight that left us craving more.
For the main event, we were served a slow cooked glazed lamb shoulder that was nothing short of divine. It arrived with roast potatoes and confit garlic, and the almond cream, anchovy, and harissa dressing added layers of complexity that made each bite a revelation.
And just when we thought we couldn’t possibly eat another bite, dessert arrived: a fig leaf and yogurt soft serve, paired with poached apricots, burnt honey, and hazelnuts. It was a sweet, creamy finale that lingered long after the last spoonful.
Throughout this culinary journey, the wines from Craggy Range were the perfect companions. The 2024 Kidnapper Chardonnay from Hawke’s Bay, the Single Vineyard Fynah from Gimblett Gravels, and the 2024 Pinot Noir from Martinborough were experiences in their own right, each matched to each course by one party in the wine biz.
The service was impeccable attentive without being intrusive, ensuring that every need was met with a smile. Craggy Range isn’t just a meal; it’s an unforgettable experience that captures the essence of New Zealand’s culinary landscape. If you’re looking for a place where high quality food meets cracking wine in a setting that’s nothing short of spectacular, this is it. You’ll leave with your taste buds dancing and your heart full, already planning your return. 10/10 Craggy Range.
Nick Lawyer★★★☆☆
We stopped here for lunch during a wine touring event. The wind are (of course) excellent and this rating is for the whole experience, not just the wine.
The food itself was well worth the stop. Five stars for the food quality. It had a dazzling array of flavors, tastes, colors and presentations. Certainly Michelin quality. No complaints about the food. I will say it’s odd (to me) but that they offer a la cart, 3 course, and 5 course meal options—- but the whole table has to pick the same option. For our group of five the only choice we could all agree on was a la cart.
Maybe there was a staffing issue, but the wait times were surprisingly long. This was a Tuesday 1p lunch. There were 4 tables of 4-6 people elsewhere in the restaurant. The kitchen is open viewing and there were 5 chefs working along with a wait staff of 3. No joke, the wait time between courses wa 30-40 min. Our meal took 2h for an entree and a main course. No apps or dessert. I don’t know if that’s what they’re going for, but on a day where we were touring wineries we had to cancel one stop because the f the delay.
Also, again oddly to me, our server disappeared for 20+min and another waiter had to take over our table. Again maybe something was going on… not sure.
I don’t think we’ll be back. Food was good tho.
Alex Youtube★★★★★
We had an exceptional dinner at the Craggy Range restaurant last night. My partner and I had the tasting menu and from the moment we walked in we felt very special and looked after. Our glasses never ran out and the food came out frequently. We cannot emphasise enough how good the food is! Interesting and delicious combinations and plenty of it. Sitting at the chefs table, we loved interacting with the kitchen and extra items that weren’t even on the menu came out as a special treat - including one of our favourites the paua, which was a great surprise. We paired with the premium wine tasting and for only an extra $20 would highly recommend. The first was Tattinger which in itself probably paid for the extra price tag. Our waiter looked after us excellently, with great knowledge of the wines that he was serving and a warm and charismatic touch. Nothing was ever too much - eg sensing we were full after the dessert he offered if we would like to share a dessert and they’ll make us some truffles to take away - absolutely just what we felt like. We will definitely be back next time we are in the Hawkes Bay.
Yuchin Hou★★★★★
We had a wonderful experience at the cellar door, trying over 9 wines from their family and prestige ranges, paired with a fantastic meat and cheese board, particularly want to thank you for Kevin’s help, he gave us a wonderful time for this tasting session, lots of details of wines and story! Their cellar door is in a spectacularly beautiful building with views of Te Mata peak across the street. We also took dinner here and food was excellent, couldnt be better! Must visit!!
matt murphy★★★★★
We were lucky enough to be able to snag a wine tasting experience without a booking, but book ahead to make sure you don't miss out. The staff were lovely and our wine connoisseur told us about each of the wines we were tasting, the regions and soil profile for each of the wines and how their wines might differ from others from the same region.
The wine tasting came in two different classes, with the base 'family' wines costing $35pp, and the prestige tasting $65pp. The prestige tasting includes more wines and also includes side by side tasting of different wines of the same variety or vintage - a real treat for anyone who enjoys wine. Whilst it was a little steep price wise to what we are used to, the whole tasting experience was unique and ultimately we were very happy to pay what we did.
The wines themselves were delicious and are to be enjoyed for what they are - don't compare them to what you might be used to from Australia/Europe etc. The Chardonnay was a treat and a real eye opener having never had a drinkable, let alone enjoyable, Chardonnay back home. The Sophia blend was also a real stand out.
Food platters were available and ours was delicious, showcasing beautiful local and seasonal produce. The caramelised walnuts were a hit.
The grounds and views from the cellar door were also amazing.
This winery is a must visit if you are in the Napier/Hawkes Bay region of NZ. Book ahead of time, and allow a good 2 hours at least to make the most of the whole experience if going for the premium tastings.
Maria S★★★★★
Outstanding, absolutely loved our stay here during our honeymoon. The cottages are nicely decorated & very clean and the views are beautiful. Robin was super nice and helpful. Highly recommend!
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FAQs
What is the address of Craggy Range?
Craggy Range is located at 253 Waimarama Road, Havelock North 4230, New Zealand
What is the phone number of Craggy Range?
You can contact Craggy Range at +64 6 873 7126
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You can find directions to Craggy Range by following this map link
