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Winning streak continues for Villa Maria’s Syrah

Sunday, 22 March 2009, 2:46 pm
Press Release: Villa Maria Estate

Media release – for immediate release
Sunday, March 22 2009

Villa Maria’s 2007 Cellar Selection Syrah was judged the best Syrah at New Zealand’s oldest wine competition, The Royal Easter Show Wine Awards, last night.

The ‘Champion Syrah’ Trophy was awarded to Villa Maria by a top New Zealand judging panel which included Master of Wine Bob Campbell and highly-respected Australian judge, Mike DeGaris. Villa Maria also collected eight gold medals, double the tally of any other competitor.

This follows a trophy and gold medal win at the International Cool Climate Wine Awards in Australia earlier this month.

Accepting the trophy at the black tie awards dinner, owner and managing director of Villa Maria Estate, George Fistonich said it marked another incredible success for Villa Maria, and the country’s favourite Hawkes Bay Syrah.

“New Zealand Syrah is a superb red varietal which is growing in reputation both here and around the world. It’s different to the Australian Shiraz and more in line with the Northern Rhone-style Syrah which the world loves and understands.”

Grown in the world-renowned Gimblett Gravels region in the Hawkes Bay, Villa Maria Cellar Selection Syrah boasts an impressive pedigree, with the 2006 vintage collecting gold medals last season at the Air New Zealand Wine Awards, A & P Mercedes Benz Wine Awards; and Liquorland Top 100 competition. The Syrah was also the number one wine in OZ Clark’s 250 ‘Best Wines of the World’.

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The 2009 Royal Easter Show Wine Awards were a successful night for the New Zealand wine industry overall, with a record number of medals awarded to New Zealand wines across all categories. A total of 1562 New Zealand wines were entered into the competition and 935 medals were awarded.

The trophy and gold medals collected by Villa Maria are listed below:

Trophies:

Champion Syrah of the Show – Villa Maria Cellar Selection Syrah 2007
Gold medals:

Villa Maria Single Vineyard Omahu Gravels Viognier 2008
Villa Maria Single Vineyard Taylors Pass Pinot Noir 2007
Villa Maria Single Vineyard Taylors Pass Chardonnay 2006
Villa Maria Single Vineyard Taylors Pass Sauvignon Blanc 2008
Villa Maria Cellar Selection Syrah 2007
Villa Maria Cellar Selection Gewurztraminer 2007
Villa Maria Cellar Selection Merlot Cabernet 2007
Villa Maria Private Bin Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon 2007

Attached pic from left
Nick Picone - Senior Auckland Winemaker
Dave Roper - Auckland Winemaker
George Fistonich - Managing Director and owner
Alastair Maling MW - Group Winemaker

Ends

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