Central Otago Wine Makers Gain Multiple Accolades

Central Otago wine producers scooped one trophy and a number of medals at the prestigious Air New Zealand Wine Awards at the weekend, which received over 1,500 entries this year.

The Fairfax Media Champion Open Red Wine Trophy was awarded to Cromwell vineyard Rockburn for their Pinot Noir 2006, while Bendigo’s Mondillo Vineyards gained a Pure Elite Gold medal for their Pinot Noir 2006. Across the wine varieties over 30 producers in the Central Otago region achieved Gold, Silver and Bronze awards.

The Central Otago Winegrowers’ Association was delighted with the calibre and number of awards the region picked up, president Martin Anderson said, ‘This is a wonderful achievement for wine maker Malcolm Francis and the team at Rockburn and will certainly raise their profile in the wine world domestically and overseas,”.

“As a region the success of awards is very good for Central Otago and reflects its continued growth. A tremendous number of wineries excelled in the Pinot Noir category - a variety which has become synonymous with the region - but also did well with some of the white varieties such as Pinot Gris and Chardonnay,” he continued.

Other winners include Lamont which gained an Elite Gold medal for their 2005 Pinot Noir. Gold medals were also awarded to De Vine Wines, Goldfields, Hawkdun Rise and Southern Cross Selection Central Otago all for their 2006 Pinot Noirs and Gibbston Valley Wines for Gibbston Valley Pinot Blanc 2006

Organised by New Zealand Winegrowers, the Air New Zealand Wine Awards is the country's most prestigious wine competition. The top trophy award went to Hawkes Bay’s Trinity Hill for their Homage Syrah 2006.

The 2007 Air New Zealand Wine Awards was held in Christchurch on Saturday night at the Christchurch Convention Centre and was attended by over 750 guests. For the full results please see www.airnzwineawards.co.nz

26 November 2007

ENDS

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