Craggy Range Winery in Hawke’s Bay offers a unique blend of architectural brilliance and landscape integration to enhance the visitor experience, making it a worthy winner of the 2025 Best Of Wine Tourism Architecture Award.
The story of the Craggy Range Winery complex is a harmonious blend of architectural ingenuity and respect for the natural landscape, with Te Mata Peak serving as a majestic backdrop. Designed by renowned architect John Blair, the complex embraces tradition and innovation, paying homage to its wine-making heritage while embracing modern functionality.
Blair’s architectural philosophy is one of seamlessly blending high-tech elements with a romantic aesthetic to enhance the visitor experience. The architectural vision is one of cohesion, where diverse building forms are united by common materials and tones, that resonates in harmony with the landscape. From the distinctive circular drum shape of the Terrôir Restaurant to the solid containment evoked by the red wine fermentation area, each space offers a unique perspective on winemaking. This commitment to honouring tradition while embracing innovation sets the venue apart, providing guests with an unparalleled journey through winemaking artistry.
The buildings’ orientation on a north-south axis parallels the vineyard planting, while careful siting ensures minimal visual impact on the surrounding landscape. Rather than imposing monolithic structures, Blair’s design approach seeks to integrate the winery seamlessly into its natural surroundings with a timeless, practical aesthetic that respects the region’s agricultural heritage.
As visitors explore the cellar door sales area and hospitality spaces, they are enveloped in an atmosphere of warmth and homeliness, balanced with a professional elegance that reflects the core values of the winery. Through careful attention to detail and a deep appreciation for tradition and innovation, the Craggy Range Winery complex stands as a testament to the enduring relationship between architecture, landscape, and the art of winemaking.
Whether indulging in fine dining, exploring the cellar door sales area, or simply enjoying panoramic views of the lake and vineyard, visitors are treated to an unforgettable experience that celebrates the region’s beauty and heritage in a truly one-of-a-kind way.