ELEPHANT HILL TASTING 26TH OCTOBER 5.30

Winemaker Hugh Crichton will be show casing Elephant Hill’s  new Elemental Journey wines and releases and Icon wines on Thursday, October 26th. 5.30pm.

 Introducing award-winning head winemaker of Elephant Hill, Hugh Crichton. Hugh has established himself as one of New Zealand’s leading winemakers. Most notably, he is the former winemaker of historic Vidal Estate where he worked for over 16 years. He has established a solid winemaking career both in New Zealand and overseas. Vintages undertaken include Chateau Soutard in Saint Emilion, France; Chard Farm in Central Otago and Donnafugata in Italy.  He also worked several vintages at Millton Vineyards in Gisborne where his inspiration for environmentally conscious and organic winemaking and viticulture was fostered. During his time in Europe, Hugh had the opportunity to experience many European wines, which were often elegant in style and food-friendly in nature. His exposure to some of the great wines of this style has been a key influence on his winemaking direction. Producing wines which are truly reflective of the region and vineyards where the grapes are grown is also at the core of Hugh’s winemaking philosophy.

Hugh will guide us through a selection of site specific, single vineyard wines, born from the unique terroir of Hawke's Bay and explore the narratives woven within three distinct vineyard sites, each linked to the elemental trio of Sea, Earth, and Stone. 

The Sea wines, nestled alongside the Pacific coast in Te Awanga.

The Earth wines of the Bridge Pa Triangle

The Stone wines from the rugged terrain of Gimblett Gravels

Additionally, you will also sample the Icon cuvées—Salomé, Airavata, and Hieronymus—produced only under the most exceptional vintages. 

The wines he will be showcasing  

- 2020 Sea Syrah

- 2020 Earth Syrah

- 2020 Stone Syrah

- 2021 Sea Chardonnay

- 2021 Earth Chardonnay

- 2020 Stone Merlot Cabernet

- 2021 Salomé Chardonnay

- 2020 Airavata Syrah

- 2020 Hieronymus Bordeaux Blend