First Viognier for Clearview Estate takes out silver

First Viognier for Clearview Estate takes out silver

The first-ever Haumoana Viognier produced by Clearview Estate Winery has taken out a silver award at the Spiegelau International Wine Awards announced this week, while the Te Awanga winery’s star, its Reserve Chardonnay won another gold.

The 2012 Viognier is a special one-off limited release, while the Reserve Chardonnay adds to its consistent long pedigree of gold awards or five-star ratings; 50 in total since the first vintage won a gold award in 1991.
Clearview sourced grapes sourced from Black Bridge Vineyard on the gravel banks of the Tukituki River near Haumoana for the Viognier wine. Only 2000 bottles of the inaugural release were bottled last year.

“There was an exceptionally low crop rate and the grapes were handpicked and gently whole bunch pressed,” says Barry Riwai, winemaker. “We knew this was going to be a special wine with fine aromatics and superb texture and weight. Seems we were right.”

Grapes handpicked from 26-year-old vines and some newer plantings in Clearview’s Te Awanga vineyards were used to create the gold-winning 2012 Reserve Chardonnay. “This Chardonnay continues a tradition that has seen the wine produced by the same winemakers and viticulturist for almost all of the past 24 years,” says Tim Turvey, co-owner and winemaker.

A third entry into the national competition, Clearview’s Whitecaps Chardonnay has won a bronze award.

The Spiegelau International Wine Competition is now in its third year and attracted wines from nine countries including Australia, Spain, Italy, France Germany, Chile, Portugal and USA. This year there were a total of 1100 wines entered.

ENDS

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