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New Zealand’s Craggy Range winery hosts former PM Jacinda Ardern’s wedding
Hawke’s Bay winery Craggy Range takes the spotlight this week after hosting the wedding of former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.
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Located on the east coast of New Zealand’s North Island, Craggy Range was named the world’s most Instagrammable vineyard in 2021, making it the perfect backdrop for ex-PM Ardern’s wedding to partner Clarke Gayford.
The winery sits between the Te Mata Peak and the Tukituki River, in the Gimblett Gravels winegrowing district.
Founded in 1993 by husband and wife Terry and Mary Peabody, Craggy Range has a 1,000 year trust, meaning the winery can never be sold.
Images of Ardern and Gayford among the vines have circulated local and international press.
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Craggy Range offers wedding packages year round, with the price of venue hire set at NZ$35,000 (£17,059) during the high season, plus an extra $10,000-$15,000 for marquees hire.
The package includes two night’s accommodation in all cottages and lodge on site for up to 38 guests on the night prior and the night of the event. The ceremony set-up including 40 chairs and audio visual requirements in the winery’s Olive Grove.
An additional NZ$25,000 (£12,185) is required as the minimum spend for food and drink. According to Craggy Range’s 2022 menu, the producer’s range of wines are paired with a three-course food menu priced at NZ$150 per person. The menu includes:
Potato focaccia bread & camembert butter
Entrée – each guest to select one
Roast halloumi, pine nut sauce, beetroot jubes & burnt honey, walnut dressing
or
Venison tartare, tarragon, cured egg yolk, crispy fried anchovy, agria potato
chips
Main course – each guest to select one
Pan fried local fish, pine nut & leek ‘risotto’, burnt cabbage & octopus
or
Glazed lamb shoulder, almond, braised greens & candied hibiscus
served with a selection of seasonal sides
To finish
Soft meringue, roasted rhubarb, yoghurt cream & lemon curd
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