Double No 1 for Craggy Range syrah

As well as the chart-topping Craggy Range, there were other local vineyards in the country's top 10. Photo / Warren Buckland

Hawke's Bay wineries have featured strongly in a recent quest to uncover the world's best syrahs with Craggy Range taking the number one spot.

The 2013 Craggy Range Le Sol was ranked the top of the New Zealand top 10 and also took the number one spot as top New World syrah overall.

The UK-based leading wine publication Decanter Magazine sparked the quest for "Super Syrah - 70 top New World buys for Rhone lovers", which has just run in its latest issue.

Wine master Bob Campbell selected his top 10 New Zealand syrahs and seven were from Hawke's Bay wineries - and five of those were from the Gimblett Gravels, which has been adjudged as the country's leading area for growing syrah.

Its stony, alluvial soils and particular location has produced the styles and richness of wines from the legendary Rhone Valley in France.

As well as the chart-topping Craggy Range, other local vineyards in the country's top 10 were Esk Valley, Te Mata Estate, Sacred Hill, Bilancia, Vidal and Matua.

Mr Campbell was glowing in his praise for the small but specialised wine-growing region.

"Five of my 10 top choices here are from Gimblett Gravels, including three of my first four picks."

The team at Craggy Range said they would be celebrating their latest accolade by offering an exclusive tasting of their Le Sol range and other syrahs at the Cellar Door at Giants Winery this weekend.