Riflemans Chardonnay continues reign of successes

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Media Release 26 November 2007

Riflemans Chardonnay continues its reign of successes

Sacred Hill winery has walked away with the O-I New Zealand Champion Chardonnay Trophy for its 2006 Riflemans Chardonnay at this year’s Air New Zealand Wine Awards.

The trophies were announced at a special celebratory dinner held in Christchurch on Saturday, November 24, 2007.

As well as taking the top honour Riflemans Chardonnay 2006 was also awarded an Elite Gold medal at this year’s awards.

“Winning a gold medal was a great accolade but to follow up with a trophy is fantastic news. The Air New Zealand Wine Awards are the main highlight in the NZ wine calendar so it is a big award to win,” says David Mason, Managing Director Sacred Hill.

The Air New Zealand Wine Awards is organised by New Zealand Winegrowers and this year attracted 1,540 entries. The judging panel was made up of highly experienced local and international wine experts.

The Rifleman Chardonnay has already gained numerous trophies and gold medals since its release and is regarded as one of New Zealand’s top chardonnays.

Mason says it’s great to be able to produce a wine with such an impressive pedigree and one that is held in high esteem by both wine judges and the consumer.

Rifleman Chardonnay is made by renowned Sacred Hill winemaker Tony Bish and comes from the Sacred Hill Special Selection range which represents the pinnacle of the wineries winemaking craft. The wine is a single vineyard wine coming from the Estate vineyard ‘Riflemans Terraces’.

“The wine is only produced in outstanding vintages, when growing and ripening conditions have come as close to perfection as nature will allow,” says Mason.

The grapes for Riflemans Chardonnay are hand harvested from 19 year old Mendoza Chardonnay vines that are naturally low yielding.

“Vineyard site is everything with Riflemans. The unique free draining red metal terraces and extreme climatic conditions all contribute to create the intense fruit characters typical of this wine,” says Mason.

The 2006 vintage is available nationwide from all fine wine retailers.

www.sacredhill.co.nz

ENDS

Background:

Previous awards and accolades for Rifleman Chardonnay

Trophy - New Zealand Wine Society Royal Easter Wine Show 2004

Trophy - New Zealand Wine Society Royal Easter Wine Show 2004

Trophy - New Zealand Wine Society Royal Easter Wine Show 2004

Gold Medal - Royal Easter Show Wine Awards 2007

Gold Medal - Royal Easter Show Wine Awards 2006

Gold Medal - Liquorland Top 100 2006

Gold Medal - Hawke's Bay A&P Mercedes-Benz Wine Awards 2005

Gold Medal - Air New Zealand Wine Awards 2004

Gold Medal - New Zealand Wine Society Royal Easter Wine Show 2003

Gold Medal - Air New Zealand Wine Awards 2003

Gold Medal - Liquorland Top100 2002

Gold Medal - New Zealand Wine Society Royal Easter Wine Show 2001

Gold Medal - New Zealand Wine Society Royal Easter Wine Show 1999

Gold Medal - Air New Zealand Wine Awards 1998

Gold Medal - Air New Zealand Wine Awards 1997

Gold Medal - Liquorland Top100 1996

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