New Zealand's Craggy Range switches to Bibendum PLB

By Mathew Lyons

Published: 29 February, 2016

New Zealand premium single-vineyard winery Craggy Range has moved its UK distribution from Louis Latour Agencies to Bibendum PLB.

The brand is looking to Bibendum to develop its expanding presence in the on-trade and to Walker & Wodehouse to drive sales growth among independent retailers.

Its wines will also be available to multiple retailers through PLB.

Craggy Range was founded by Australian businessman Terry Peabody in 1997 and remains in the family's ownership. From its inception, the winery has specialised in single-vineyard wines.

Craggy Range has land under vine in three distincts terroirs.

It has around 100 hectares of Bordeaux reds and Syrah planted in the alluvial stone-and-sand-rich soils of Gimblett Gravels, Hawke's Bay, which has the warmest climate in New Zealand.

Further south in Martinborough, its produces cool-climate wines at its Te Muna Road vineyard.

Te Muna Road has two distinct terraces, one offering old, stony clay-infused soils perfect for Pinot Noir and other, younger stony soils interleaved with limestone, which prove ideal territory for Sauvignon Blanc.

It also produces wines from the Kidnappers vineyard in Hawke's Bay, Avery in Marlborough, and Calvert in Central Otago.

Warren Adamson, global sales director at Craggy Range said: "Our move to Bibendum PLB Group reflects our desire to extend Craggy Range's reach. Bibendum PLB Group has the scale to take Craggy Range to the next level in the important UK market.

"Louis Latour Agencies got us to where we are today and now it's time to grow again with this move. We wish Latour all the best and look forward to our new relationship with Bibendum PLB Group."

Matt Smith, New Zealand buyer for Bibendum PLB, said: "We are delighted to welcome Craggy Range to the Bibendum PLB family. Craggy Range is a well-known and iconic name in New Zealand wine and rightfully so.

"They are bringing some fantastic wines to the portfolio from Gimblett Gravels and Martinborough which will sit brilliantly alongside our existing New Zealand producers."

Bibendum PLB is listing the winery's Te Muna Road Pinot Noir and Te Muna Sauvignon Blanc, Kidnappers Chardonnay and Gimblett Gravels Vineyard Te Kahu.

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