World experienced sommelier joins Craggy Range

World experienced sommelier joins Craggy Range

One of the country’s most experienced sommeliers has been appointed customer experience manager at Craggy Range Winery in Hawke’s Bay.

Advanced sommelier Michael Bancks is working towards becoming New Zealand’s second only Master Sommelier and returns to Craggy Range after three years in France.

Formerly manager of Craggy Range’s Terrôir Restaurant for six years from 2004, Bancks was awarded the title of Sommelier of the Year at the Culinary Fair in 2008 while in that role.

During his time in France Bancks developed his fine wine and hospitality skills as maître d’ at three Michelin Star restaurant of famed chef Michel Guerard at Les Prés d’Eugénie. Les Prés d’Eugénie served as the inspiration for Terrôir Restaurant after Terry and Mary Peabody shared a memorable meal at the estate.

At Craggy Range he is responsible for the visitor hosting programme showcasing the winery’s unique experience to visitors and key influencers from around the world. He is also responsible for managing the cellar door.

Bancks says he is delighted to be coming home to Hawke’s Bay, one of New Zealand’s most popular food and wine regions.

“I am really enjoying being home in the Bay and very much looking forward to working with the Craggy Range team again. It was a tremendous three years in France where I was fortunate to be under the patronage of such a brilliant restaurateur as Michel Guerard.

“Working in an establishment that has famously held three Michelin Stars continuously since 1977 has provided a wonderful benchmark for my career. Craggy Range wines are inspired by the old world styles I have experienced in France but nurtured in the finest new world terroir and I am excited to share the Craggy Range philosophy with visitors from around the world.”

Craggy Range Chief Executive Officer Michael Wilding says everyone is delighted to welcome Michael back to the Craggy Range team.

“Michael’s passion and experience as both a sommelier and maître d’ brings enormous credibility to the role. The visitor hosting programme is an integral component of growing our brand globally and we look forward to extending our hosting programme, creating and launching more layers to our Craggy Range experience over the coming months.

“Michael always has been a phenomenal Craggy Range ambassador and truly understands and shares the Craggy Range philosophy, so we are very fortunate to have him leading our visitor hosting programme and the cellar door.”

Michael Bancks took up his role at Craggy Range in May.

About Michael Bancks

Michael Bancks was born in Auckland and during his school days got a taste for the hospitality industry working in cafés on the North Shore. He studied for a Bachelor of Health Sciences (at Auckland University) and worked part time at a leading Auckland waterfront restaurant. Through the restaurant he met Corbans Wine & Food Challenge judge Prue Barton. Work at Vinnie’s and Halo followed before Prue Barton offered him a job at Terrôir at Craggy Range. Meanwhile Bancks pursued his sommelier studies earning a scholarship enabling him to study through the various levels of certification as part of his ambition of becoming a Master Sommelier in the future. He was appointed restaurant manager at Terrôir in 2004 and in 2008 Bancks was voted New Zealand Sommelier of the Year at the New Zealand Culinary Fare. The following year was one of only five students to pass the Advanced Sommelier examination. He was for two years group sommelier for Cape Kidnappers, Kauri Cliffs and Queenstown’s Matakauri Lodge resorts. In 2012 he moved to France and the three Michelin Star restaurant of Michel Guerard at Les Prés d’Eugénie. Bancks returned to New Zealand with his wife and two daughters in 2015 to the role of customer experience manager at Craggy Range Winery in Hawke’s Bay.

About Craggy Range Winery

Craggy Range is a family owned winery established in 1997 named by U.S publication Wine Enthusiast magazine as New World Winery of the Year for 2014. It is situated in the shadow of the spectacular Te Mata Peak in the premium wine growing area of Hawkes Bay, New Zealand. Based on the single vineyard philosophy of winemaking, Craggy Range was the first in the Southern Hemisphere to make single vineyard wines from multiple New Zealand regions with grape varieties matched to place. The winery produces a portfolio of quality wines including the iconic Prestige and Family collections, as well as Limited Editions all reflecting the place and the people. The grapes, grown in exceptional winery-owned New Zealand estate vineyards in Hawke’s Bay, Martinborough and Marlborough, are selected for their special soils and unique climates producing wines of character, quality and authority. The architecturally inspired Giants winery complex and vineyard is also home to the Craggy Range Cellar Door and the award winning restaurant Terrôir at Craggy Range. Nestled amongst the vines, the four Craggy Range Vineyard Cottages offer self-contained boutique accommodation. For more visitwww.craggyrange.com.

ENDS

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