24 November 2008
Hawke’s Bay Pride of Place at 2008 Air New Zealand Wine Awards
Hawke’s Bay took pride of place at the 2008 Air New Zealand Wine Awards with the Champion Wine of the Show awarded to the Church Road Reserve Syrah 2007 and the Champion Sustainable Wine Trophy awarded to Crossroads Winery’s Elms Vineyard Hawke’s Bay Reserve Syrah 2007.
Chris Scott, Church Road Winemaker, didn’t attend the Air New Zealand Wine Awards Dinner on Saturday but said “the phone wouldn’t stop ringing. I was grinning from ear to ear. It’s just such a fantastic result for Hawke’s Bay. Syrah is obviously a winner for the region.”
Taking eight of the total trophies, Hawke’s Bay more than made its mark as the second largest wine region in New Zealand and follows on from it’s successes in the previous year’s Air New Zealand Wine Awards. All three Pure Elite Gold Medals awarded went to Hawke’s Bay wines. These are awards that allow judges to give special recognition to truly outstanding and sustainably produced wines among gold medal winners in each class. Hawke’s Bay also received another eight Elite Gold Medals in the competition showing the strength of quality exhibited.
Rod McDonald, CEO at Matariki Wines and Chairman of Hawke’s Bay Winegrowers said
“Yet another great line-up of Trophy results! It further endorses Hawke’s Bays unique ability to make wines of the highest international quality across a broad breadth of varieties. It’s especially exciting to see the quality of our red wines showing their universal class.”
The Selaks “The Favourite” Merlot Cabernet 2007 took the Champion Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot/Cabernet blend Trophy and Trinity Hill’s Gimblett Gravels Hawke’s Bay Tempranillo completing the Hawke’s Bay red wine success. White wines were also well represented with the Chardonnay Trophy awarded to the Vidal Reserve Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2007, the Other White Styles Trophy awarded to the Villa Maria Single Vineyard Omahu Gravels Viognier 2007 and the Exhibition White Trophy to the Villa Maria Reserve Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2006.
As the most prestigious wine competition for New Zealand produced wines with over 1,700 entries from all 10 regions, the number of Champion Trophies achieved continues to confirm the quality and reputation of Hawke’s Bay wines.
For further information contact:
Lyn Bevin, Executive Officer, Hawke’s Bay Winegrowers Inc
Email lynb@winehawkesbay.co.nz
Website www.winehawkesbay.co.nz
