The acquisition comes following demand for the company’s Martinborough Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir, most of it driven by brand recognition in the United States.
Former chief winemaker Matt Stafford said at the time, the company plan was to take selections from their favourite vines on the existing Craggy Range Te Muna vineyard to cultivate and plant in the new block, particularly for Pinot Noir.
“We have found that our Craggy Range Aroha Pinot Noir (the top label) has emerged from a special spot of soil on Te Muna Road and who knows what these new grapes will provide? We will find out as we go.”
The new top-shelf wines were likely to be labelled Donald Block, in memory of the former land owner, farmer John Donald, and his family.
Final plantings were forecast to go into the ground in 2020.
