Kim Crawford Winery was named after its founder and was established in 1996. It was one of the early pioneers of the "virtual winery" concept in New Zealand. Kim Crawford believed that winemaking didn't necessarily require owning vineyards. In fact, he believed that being forced to buy vineyards could limit creativity. He firmly believed that as long as he could find the best grapes, he could use his winemaking skills to produce excellent wines. Therefore, he searched for high-quality grapes from various regions in New Zealand to craft his own wines. This approach has been widely imitated over time and has become a common practice. However, it still requires dedicated efforts to search and identify unique small vineyard sites that ensure high-quality grapes and reflect the characteristics of the terroir. Kim Crawford wines are known for their minimal intervention, allowing them to showcase the terroir and be enjoyed easily. In just six years, his Sauvignon Blanc made it to the Wine Spectator's Top 100 list in 2003. Although Mr. Kim Crawford has since left the winery, Anthony Walkenhorst, the current winemaker, joined in 2005 and immediately won the Trophy for the Best Sauvignon Blanc at the Air New Zealand Wine Competition with his own crafted Sauvignon Blanc. The following year, their Small Parcels Rise and Shine Pinot Noir won the Trophy for Best Pinot Noir. Taking over from Kim Crawford, Anthony Walkenhorst has further strengthened the winery's reputation. With 20 years of dedication from its founding to the present, the winery has become one of the top 10 New Zealand wine brands globally. Kim Crawford has also become the number one New Zealand wine brand in the eyes of American consumers.