Giesen, Johanneshof and Villa Maria dominate wine awards

Giesen, Johanneshof and Villa Maria dominate 2013 Marlborough Wine Show awards

Family companies dominated the awards at the 2013 Marlborough Wine Show celebration dinner held in Blenheim on Saturday night with Giesen, Johanneshof Cellars and Villa Maria winning nine of the 14 awards presented.

In addition to 12 class trophies, there were two new awards – The Marlborough Wine Show Award for Vineyard Excellence which was presented jointly to Ara Wines and Villa Maria for their Seddon Vineyard and the Marlborough Museum Legacy Award which was presented to Johanneshof Cellars for their Gewurztraminer, vintages 2006, 2010 and 2012.

Johanneshof joint winemakers, Warwick Foley and Edel Everling said, “The Johanneshof team is elated to receive not only the Trophy for Champion Gewurztraminer but also the inaugural Marlborough Museum Legacy Award. In the 24 years since Johanneshof was established, we have always strived to produce wines of great harmony that not only evolve and unravel over time, but ultimately have the strength to be enjoyed for many years.” Warwick concludes, “We are thrilled to be recognised for producing such wines.”

Marcel Giesen, Director and Chief Winemaker of Giesen Wines said, “We are delighted with the three trophies for ‘The Fuder’ wines. “ He explains, “The idea was to showcase single vineyard sites in Marlborough and use 1,000 litre German oak barrels (‘Fuders’) to prove that a number of styles are possible with outstanding Marlborough fruit – both Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay.”

Villa Maria Senior Marlborough Winemaker Jeremy McKenzie commented on the significance of a Riesling winning the top spot: “It’s often to the despair of winemakers that Riesling seems to be the poor cousin of Sauvignon Blanc; it’s a great varietal that I’d love to see more people enjoying. We’re absolutely stoked with the four trophies from the competition,” he said.

The Marlborough Wine Show was established in 2011 to showcase the sub-regions and style diversity of wines from the province.

The complete list of trophies and awards is as follows:

Winemakers’ Association of Marlborough trophy for Champion Sparkling Wine
Hawkesbridge Marlborough Methode Traditionnelle 2009

WineWorks trophy for Champion Sauvignon Blanc 2013
Wither Hills Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2013

WineWorks trophy for Champion Sauvignon Blanc 2012
The Fuder Single Vineyard Selection: Matthews Lane Sauvignon Blanc 2012

WineWorks trophy for Champion Sauvignon Blanc Emerging Style
The Fuder Single Vineyard Selection: Matthews Lane Sauvignon Blanc 2012

Ormond Nurseries Ltd trophy for Champion Chardonnay 2013 - 2012
Mount Riley 17 Valley Chardonnay 2012

Ormond Nurseries Ltd trophy for Champion Chardonnay 2011
The Fuder Single Vineyard Selection: Clayvin Chardonnay 2011

TNL Freighting trophy for Champion Pinot Gris
Villa Maria Single Vineyard Seddon Vineyard Pinot Gris 2013

New Zealand King Salmon trophy for Champion Riesling 2013 – 2012
Villa Maria Cellar Selection Marlborough Dry Riesling 2013

New Zealand King Salmon trophy for Champion Riesling 2011 and Older
Spring Creek Estate Marlborough Riesling 2011

Mantissa Corporation trophy for Champion Gewurztraminer
Johanneshof Cellars Marlborough Gewurztraminer 2012

The Honey Company Limited trophy for Champion Sweet Wine
Giesen The Brothers Marlborough Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc 2012

Classic Oak Products trophy for Champion Pinot Noir 2013 - 2012
Lawson's Dry Hills The Pioneer Pinot Noir 2012

O-I New Zealand Champion Wine of the Show
Villa Maria Cellar Selection Marlborough Dry Riesling 2013

The Marlborough Museum Legacy Award
Johanneshof Cellars vintages 2006, 2010, 2012

The Marlborough Wine Show Award for Vineyard Excellence
Jointly awarded to Ara Wines and Villa Maris for their Seddon Vineyard.

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ENDS

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