Terrace Heights Estate trumps at Pinot Noir Awards

T.H.E. Terrace Heights Estate comes out trumps at the Christchurch Casino Pinot Noir Awards

The winners of the 2009 Christchurch Casino Pinot Noir Awards were announced last night at the event’s prestigious Awards dinner, held at Christchurch Casino’s Grand Café.

In its second year, the Awards boasted an overwhelming response from New Zealand’s top Pinot Noirs, each competing for the coveted ‘Pick of the Bunch’ People’s Choice Award, Industry Show Case Award and Christchurch Casino Supreme Pinot Noir Award.

Expert judging panel of Terry Copeland, Jim Harre and Sarah Burton completed their tasting of the finalists and awarded T.H.E. Terrace Heights Estate Pinot Noir 2007 the Christchurch Casino Supreme Pinot Noir Award.

Steve Hammond of Terrace Heights Estate says “I’m ecstatic with the Supreme Award. I was really surprised when we were announced as overall winner as there was such a strong line up of fantastic Pinot Noirs from throughout the country. T.H.E. Terrace Heights Estate Pinot Noir 2007 has done us proud – the vintage is fabulous”.

Over 1100 people sampled and voted for their ‘Pick of the Bunch’ in the quest to award the People’s Choice Award, with a clear favourite shining through in Black Estate Pinot Noir 2006 Omihi Waipara. A favourite with the industry too, the same Black Estate Pinot took out the Industry Showcase Award.

Rob Daish of Black Estate Wines says that he’s pleased wine enthusiasts have taken such pleasure in the Pinot.

“It’s incredibly rewarding to be voted favourite by customers and industry peers – I’m thrilled our Pinot was such a hit. We’ve really enjoyed being part of the competition and couldn’t have asked for a better result.”

Judging panel member, Terry Copeland, says the Pinots in this year’s competition were outstanding and an absolute credit to our country’s wine growers.

“Pinot is going ahead in leaps and bounds; the quality of the Pinots in this year’s competition reflected this. It’s great to see a true regional typicity and style coming through,” he says.

“The winners this year are well deserved. They certainly stood out and were favourites with the judges, public and industry alike – I am sure we will see these wines come up at future competitions too,” added Copeland.

Chief Executive of Christchurch Casino, Brett Anderson, says this year’s Awards were a great success and thoroughly enjoyed and appreciated by customers and employees of Christchurch Casino.

“Showcasing one of New Zealand’s great products is a pleasure. Our employees really enjoyed the opportunity to present the finalists to our customers who have said only great things about the Pinot Noirs on display,” he says.

“We look forward to bringing this wine appreciation event to the people of Christchurch again next year,” he added.

T.H.E. Terrace Heights Estate Pinot and Black Estate Pinot Noir 2006 Omihi Waipara are available at Christchurch Casino on restaurant and bar wine lists.

Winning wines for the 2009 Christchurch Casino Pinot Noir Awards are as follows:

Supreme Pinot Noir Award

T.H.E. Terrace Heights Estate Pinot Noir 2007

‘Pick of the Bunch’ People’s Choice Award

Black Estate Pinot Noir 2006 Omihi Waipara

Industry Showcase Award

Black Estate Pinot Noir 2006 Omihi Waipara

Gold Medal Winners

Montana Terraces Marlborough Pinot Noir 2007

Black Estate Pinot Noir 2006 Pinot Noir Omihi Waipara

Rockburn Central Otago Pinot Noir 2008

Mitre Rocks Otago 2007 Pinot Noir

T.H.E. Terrace Heights Estate Pinot Noir 2007

Saint Clair Pioneer Block 15 Strip Block Pinot Noir 2007

ENDS

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