PASSING THE BATON

Local Hawke’s Bay wine producer Elephant Hill has been making quality wine for nearly two decades. All its fruit comes from three separate vineyard sites, including the famed Gimblett Gravels. Just recently the founding winemaker Steve Skinner decided to make his final blends, put away all the tank hoses, take a final look at the barrel hall and call it time on winemaking, for a while. Ex-Vidal wines winemaker Hugh Crichton (above) has been appointed to the head winemaker position, and with his specialist skills in chardonnay, viognier, syrah and red blends, the high-quality wines from the team at Elephant Hill are set to continue. Congratulations, Hugh.