Spy Valley’s Envoy scoops Decanter Regional Trophy

Media Release 25th June 2014

Spy Valley’s Envoy scoops Regional Trophy: New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc over £15 at Decanter World Wine Awards

New Zealand winery Spy Valley Wines is delighted to announce that they have been awarded a Regional Trophy at the 2014 UK Decanter World Wine Awards, for their 2012 Envoy Sauvignon Blanc.

Regional and International Trophy winners were announced on 24 June at the DWWA Ceremony in London.

“To be recognised as the best ultra premium Sauvignon in the UK market is huge. It shows the vineyard and winery teams are right on the mark. The fun part is this pulls along our whole sauvignon programme and gives confidence in direction. “ Blair Gibbs, Spy Valley’s General Manager.

In its eleven years the Decanter World Wine Awards has become known as the world’s largest and most trusted wine competition. The world’s best wine professionals judge the wines, in a comprehensive and rigorous judging process, where wines are tasted blind, grouped within their region of origin and then price bracket to ensure that wines are compared like for like. All Silver medals are tasted twice and all Gold, Regional Trophy and International Trophy winning wines are tasted up to four times.

This is not the first time Spy Valley Wines have been recognised at this event, its Pinot Noir won gold last year. However, this year marks the first time that the Envoy range has been entered.

The Spy Valley Envoy range of wines highlights unique micro-sites that consistently produce exceptional fruit from the family owned Vineyards around their Marlborough winery.

Paul Bourgeois, Spy Valley’s Chief Winemaker said “With the Envoy Sauvignon Blanc we hope to show the expression of this particular site and frame the wine with a little interest, and then layering from wood ageing. We still wanted the true varietal characteristics of Sauvignon Blanc to shine through.

“The Envoy Sauvignon Blanc pushes the boundaries of what is expected from your typical Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc. It is more a more complex style, and clearly illustrates that Marlborough has a lot of sub regional excellence to offer.

Spy Valley is the informal name for Marlborough’s Waihopai Valley, a southern sub region of the main Wairau Plains. The name Spy Valley is derived from the Waihopai Satellite Communication Station (a spy base) which is part of the Echelon Global Network. Established in 1993, this family, New Zealand owned company sources fruit predominantly from their own Johnson Estate Vineyards. Pioneers of this Marlborough sub-region, the vineyards were established on land considered too poor for viticulture, but has since become one of the finest cool climate vineyards in the region. Consistently producing global award winning wines including Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Pinot Gris, Gewurztraminer and Pinot Noir.

One month ago Spy Valley was also named New World Wine Producer of the Year at the Sommelier Wine Awards UK, reinforcing Spy Valley’s reputation as a leading New Zealand wine producer, with an international reputation.

“We are proud of these achievements and will continue to strive to consistently deliver varietally true wines”, said Blair Gibbs.

ENDS

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