Visiting US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, got a taste of Wanaka last night at a barbecue hosted by John Key in her honour when she enjoyed wine from Rippon Vineyard on the shores of Lake Wanaka.

To accompany such Kiwi classics as whitebait, paua fritters, Nelson scallops and wildboar sausages, Steve Logan of Logan Brown, the mastermind behind the culinary programme, selected one wine from each of New Zealand’s key winegrowing regions and Central Otago’s offering was the Pinot Noir from Rippon Vineyard.

“We’re thrilled and extremely humbled to have our wine poured at such an important event,” said winemaker, Nick Mills. “It is a huge testament to Central Otago’s winegrowers that Central was chosen as the region to represent New Zealand Pinot Noir and it is a tremendous honour that the Rippon Pinot Noir was selected from within the region for this dinner.”

Lake Wanaka Tourism general manager, James Helmore, said it was great to see local suppliers achieving such notable acclaim.

“Rippon is renownd as arguably the most scenic vineyard in the world in its remarkable position right on Lake Wanaka with views stretching across the water the mountains beyond,” he said. “Their selection at this prestigious event goes to show their wine is just as good as their views and their new tasting room which opens this summer will make the vineyard a must visit for wine enthusiasts.”

News of last night’s barbecue caps off what has been a great week for Rippon, which started when two of their Pinot Noirs: Emma’s Block and Tinker’s Field, were awarded 93 points in Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate. This was the highest rating (shared with 6 other wineries, 4 of them from Central Otago) given to any of the 300+ Pinot Noirs that were tasted when Lisa Perrotti-Brown, who covers New Zealand for Parker, visited earlier this year.

For further information visit www.rippon.co.nz or www.lakewanaka.co.nz.
-ends-

© Scoop Media