Mission Estate Wines Draw International Acclaim

News release: 29 May 2009

Mission Estate Wines Draw International Acclaim

International interest and acclaim continues to grow for Mission Estate Winery with prestigious awards and opportunities pouring in.

Three awards at the 26th International Wine Challenge (IWC) – the world’s most prestigious and influential independent wine competition- are the latest in a string of accolades for Mission Estate Winery.

The 2007 Mission Reserve Syrah and the 2007 Jewelstone Syrah were both awarded Gold medals at the International Wine Challenge; and the 2007 Jewelstone Cabernet Merlot received a Bronze.

The winery’s Mission Estate Jewelstone Cabernet Merlot, grown on the Gimblett Gravels, has also been selected by New Zealand Winegrowers to take part in “The Coming of Age of New Zealand Reds” seminars at the New Zealand Wine Fair in Tokyo, and will feature in the NZ Wine Showcase in Osaka in early June 2009. The Cabernet Merlot, along with other great New Zealand reds, will be showcased to leading Japanese Wine writers and Sommeliers.

Mission Estate Chief Winemaker, Paul Mooney says the results are a fantastic achievement for a relatively small Hawke’s Bay winery.

“We are very pleased to have been recognised at the International Wine Challenge. This year entries came from a record 41 countries, so to have received three awards shows that Mission Estate wines are among the best in the world.

“We are also excited about the opportunity to showcase our Jewelstone Cabernet Merlot to key opinion leaders in the growing Japanese market.”

These results round up a golden year of achievements for Mission Estate, with the winery’s 2007 Syrah and Chardonnay ranges performing exceptionally and scooping a range of major awards in the past year.

The 2007 Mission Reserve Syrah was named by influential New Zealand wine writer, Michael Cooper, as the 'Best Buy of the Year' and 'Best Red Wine Buy of the Year’ for 2009. The wine has also recently won a Pure Elite Gold medal at the 2008 Air New Zealand Wine Awards and a Blue Gold medal at the 2008 Sydney International Wine Awards.

The 2007 Mission Jewelstone Syrah has also been recognised this year with a coveted Blue Gold/Top 100 Award at the Sydney International Wine Awards 2008.

Mission’s 2007 Reserve Chardonnay has received a Blue Gold / Top 100 Award at the Sydney International Wine Awards and a Gold Medal at the Liquorland Top 100 International Wine Competition 2008. The 2007 Mission Vineyard Selection Chardonnay received a Gold Medal at the New Zealand International Wine Show 2008.

For more information about Mission Estate Winery’s great wines, visit www.missionestate.co.nz

ENDS

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