Blackenbrook celebrates another top award for Pinot Gris

Blackenbrook celebrates another top award for Pinot Gris

A personal passion for Pinot Gris has netted Blackenbrook Vineyard in Tasman near Nelson, its fourth top award within two months! Their 2013 Pinot Gris has just brought home a gold medal from the well-respected Air New Zealand Wine Awards, after also winning a gold medal and the Trophy for best Pinot Gris at the Bragato Wine Awards 2014, held in Blenheim in September.

But it’s not just the 2013 vintage that shines - the 2014 Pinot Gris has already been decorated with gold medals from Bragato Wine Awards 2014 and New Zealand International Wine Show 2014 before its official release in December.

Family owned and run Blackenbrook was one of the first vineyards in the Nelson region to plant Pinot Gris in 2001. Since 2007, owner and winemaker Daniel Schwarzenbach has earned numerous five star ratings and gold medals for his Pinot Gris including a Trophy for Best Pinot Gris at the New Zealand International Wine Show (2008 Reserve Pinot Gris), a Bragato Gold (2008), and five stars (2009 and 2010) from leading wine commentators Michael Cooper and Bob Campbell MW (2007).

Renowned Wine Commentator Michael Cooper says “Blackenbrook is one of the highest-achieving wineries on the Nelson scene, with a reputation for aromatic white wines - Pinot Gris, Gewürztraminer and Sauvignon Blanc - that are rich and full of personality.”

Daniel Schwarzenbach says he has always had a desire to produce outstanding Pinot Gris:

“Before starting our own vineyard, I worked as a cellar hand for Domaine Zind-Humbrecht in Alsace, one of the top Pinot Gris producers worldwide. It was a fantastic experience and I couldn’t wait to get home and start planting our own Aromatics.”

Pinot Gris always took centre stage in the Blackenbrook vineyard: the best part of their land was planted with the latest clones. “We hand pick the grapes and they’re processed as gently as possible through our gravity-fed sustainable winery. I believe that has a lot to do with the outcome in the glass,” says Daniel.

“I am delighted to see our Pinot Gris doing well year after year and each accolade spurs me on to keep fine-tuning my vineyard management and winemaking. Every year brings new challenges and there is so much more to be learnt about this wonderful grape variety.”

All Blackenbrook wines are 100% sustainably produced and accredited by Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand. Their white and rose wines are vegan, certified by the New Zealand Vegetarian Society. The 2013 and 2014 top-rated Pinot Gris are available for sale directly from the Blackenbrook website.

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