Alexandra pinot noir vineyards awarded gold medals

Press release - 24 August 2008

Alexandra pinot noir vineyards awarded three gold medals.

Three gold medals were awarded to vineyards from the small Alexandra sub-region in Central Otago at the annual Romeo Bragato Wine Awards. Grasshopper Rock managing director, Phil Handford says this is great news for Grasshopper Rock, Alexandra and the greater Central Otago wine region which collected six of only seven gold medals awarded for 2007 pinot noir from throughout New Zealand.

“The awards give a clear signal that Alexandra needs to be recognised as a premium pinot noir wine producing area and an integral part of the Central Otago Pinot Noir story”

The three vineyards, Grasshopper Rock, Hinton Estate and Davishon are all within five kilometres of each other in the Dunstan Basin.

The Romeo Bragato Wine Awards is a special competition because it recognises the viticultural excellence of grape growers and individual vineyards.

Grasshopper Rock has quickly established itself as a leading pinot noir vineyard. The gold medal award for its second vintage (2007), follows the award winning first vintage (2006).

Handford, who with four other partners, established Grasshopper Rock says the award is very early recognition of a special vineyard site, meticulous vineyard management by manager, Mike Moffitt and the award winning skills of winemaker Carol Bunn.

“The vines were only planted in 2003 and the results achieved after two vintages are outstanding. The future is very exciting and the wines will only get better as the vines mature”

A single vineyard pinot noir producer on the Earnscleugh Rim, Grasshopper Rock gained early prominence when influential international reviewer Neal Martin of The Wine Advocate awarded the first vintage wine 92/100, rating it along side some of New Zealand’s established classic pinot noir.

Grasshopper Rock Pinot Noir is sold on its website and at New Zealand’s fine wine shops, lodges and restaurants.

ENDS

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