Wednesday, 11 November 2015 10:23

Gold medals revealed for 2015 Air NZ Wine Awards

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Judges have awarded gold medals to 84 of the 1407 wines at this year's Air New Zealand Wine Awards.

Chair of judges and master of wine, Michael Brajkovich, says the most pleasing aspect of this year's awards was the spread of gold medals across a number of varietal styles and regions.

"Pinot Noir was once again the star performer with 18 golds. Predominantly the wines came from Otago, Marlborough and the Wairarapa, but Nelson, Canterbury and Hawke's Bay Pinot Noirs were also in the mix.

"The top wines from other categories were exceptional, particularly from Chardonnay, Sparkling, Gewürztraminer and the Sweet White wines, and the quality of Hawke's Bay Syrah continues to impress."

In addition to the 84 gold medals, 220 silver medals and 551 bronze medals were awarded by the judges, bringing the total number of medals awarded across the 16 different classes to 855.

Sustainability continues to be a strong focus of the Air New Zealand Wine Awards, with a record 99.7% of wines entered into this year's competition having sustainable accreditation.

The acclaimed trophy winning wines and winners of the elite gold medals will be revealed at a black tie dinner in Nelson on 28 November. New Zealand's top winemakers and industry professionals will attend the event.

The Air New Zealand Wine Awards celebrate excellence in New Zealand winemaking and is widely considered the country's most prestigious wine competition. New Zealand Winegrowers, the national organisation for the country's 1,600 grape growers and winemakers, has owned and organised the competition for 40 years.

 

The following lists the gold medal winners and the trophies they are eligible for at the black tie dinner on 28 November:

 

Wineworks Limited Champion Sparkling Wine

Pure Gold

Akarua Vintage Brut Central Otago 2010

Deutz Marlborough Cuvée Blanc de Blancs Méthode Traditionnelle 2011

Nautilus Cuvée Marlborough Brut NV

 

New Zealand Winegrowers Champion Gewürztraminer

Pure Gold

Johanneshof Cellars Gewürztraminer Marlborough 2014

Lawson's Dry Hills Gewürztraminer Marlborough 2014

 

Guala Closures NZ Ltd Champion Pinot Gris

Pure Gold

Brightwater Vineyards Pinot Gris Nelson 2015

Catalina Sounds Pinot Gris Marlborough 2015

Dashwood Pinot Gris Marlborough 2015

Greystone Pinot Gris Waipara Valley 2015

Isabel Pinot Gris Marlborough 2015

Saint Clair Godfrey's Creek Reserve Pinot Gris Marlborough 2014

Saint Clair Premium Pinot Gris Marlborough 2014

Villa Maria Single Vineyard Seddon Pinot Gris Marlborough 2015

Yealands Estate Single Vineyard Pinot Gris Awatere Valley, Marlborough 2015

 

Plant & Food Research Champion Riesling

Pure Gold

Allan Scott Family Winemakers Riesling Marlborough 2014

Ceres Black Rabbit Vineyard Riesling Central Otago 2015

Peter Yealands Riesling Marlborough 2015

Terra Sancta Miro's Block Dry Riesling Central Otago 2014

Waipara Springs Riesling Waipara Valley 2015

 

Label and Litho Ltd Champion Sauvignon Blanc

Pure Gold

Delta Hatters Hill Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2014

Lowlands Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2015

Rapaura Springs Reserve Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2015

Saint Clair Pioneer Block 3 43 Degrees Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2015

Saint Clair Premium Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2015

Saint Clair Wairau Reserve Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2015

Starborough Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2015

The Ned Waihopai River Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2015

Vidal Estate Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2015

Volcanic Hills Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2015

 

Rabobank New Zealand Champion Chardonnay

Pure Gold

Church Road Grand Reserve Chardonnay Hawke's Bay 2013

Esk Valley Chardonnay Hawke's Bay 2014

Kim Crawford Small Parcels Wild Grace Chardonnay Hawke's Bay 2014

Lake Chalice The Raptor Chardonnay Marlborough 2014

Nautilus Chardonnay Marlborough 2014

Saint Clair Pioneer Block 10 Twin Hills Chardonnay Marlborough 2014

Saint Clair Pioneer Block 11 Cell Block Chardonnay Marlborough 2014

Villa Maria Reserve Chardonnay Hawke's Bay 2014

Villa Maria Single Vineyard Taylors Pass Chardonnay Marlborough 2014

Whitehaven Chardonnay Marlborough 2014

 

Bite Magazine Champion Sweet Wine

Pure Gold

Awatere River by Louis Vavasour Late Harvest Gewürztraminer Marlborough 2014

Giesen The Brothers Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2014

Seifried Winemaker Collection Sweet Agnes Riesling Nelson 2015

Sileni Exceptional Vintage Pourriture Noble Marlborough 2014

 

Toast Champion Rosé

Pure Gold

Aspiring Flats Rosé Central Otago 2015

 

JF Hillebrand New Zealand Champion Pinot Noir

Pure Gold

Akitu A2 Pinot Noir Central Otago 2014

Brightwater Vineyards Pinot Noir Nelson 2014

Coal Pit Tiwha Pinot Noir Central Otago 2014

Craggy Range Single Vineyard Pinot Noir Te Muna Road Vineyard Martinborough 2013

Fifth Bridge Pinot Noir Central Otago 2014

Giesen Single Vineyard Selection Ridge Block Pinot Noir Marlborough 2013

Julicher Pinot Noir Martinborough 2013

Kuru Kuru Pinot Noir Central Otago 2014

Spy Valley Pinot Noir Marlborough 2013

Tarras Vineyards Single Vineyard The Canyon Pinot Noir Central Otago 2014

Te Tera Pinot Noir Martinborough 2014

Villa Maria Reserve Pinot Noir Marlborough 2013

Villa Maria Single Vineyard Southern Clays Pinot Noir Marlborough 2013

Villa Maria Single Vineyard Taylors Pass Pinot Noir Marlborough 2013

 

Coast FM Champion Merlot, Cabernet and Blends

Pure Gold

Babich The Patriarch Cabernet Sauvignon Malbec Merlot Hawke's Bay 2013

Saint Clair Pioneer Block 17 Plateau Merlot Hawke's Bay 2014

Selaks Founders Merlot Cabernet Hawke's Bay 2014

SOHO Revolver Merlot Cabernet Franc Malbec Waiheke Island 2014

Vidal Reserve Hawkes Bay Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon 2013

 

Fruitfed Supplies Champion Syrah

Pure Gold

Church Road McDonald Series Syrah Hawke's Bay 2013

Elephant Hill Syrah Hawke's Bay 2014

Matua Single Vineyard Syrah Hawke's Bay 2014

Sileni Estate Selection The Peak Syrah Hawke's Bay 2014

 

Port Nelson Limited Champion Other White Styles

Pure Gold

Waimea Family Estate Albariño Nelson 2015

 

Rangitikei Chicken Champion Exhibition White or Sparkling Wine

Pure Gold

Archangel Stefania Riesling Central Otago 2012

Mission Estate Jewelstone Chardonnay Hawke's Bay 2014

Spy Valley Envoy Riesling Marlborough 2010

Tohu Mugwi Reserve Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2014

Villa Maria Library Release Chardonnay Hawke's Bay 2010

Whitehaven Gewürztraminer Marlborough 2014

Gold

Daniel Le Brun Méthode Traditionnelle Blanc De Blanc 2009

 

Nelson Airport Limited Champion Exhibition Red Wine

Pure Gold

Beach House Syrah Hawke's Bay 2014

Church Road Grand Reserve Syrah Hawke's Bay 2013

Gladstone Vineyard Rosé Wairarapa 2015

Greylands Ridge Pinot Noir Central Otago 2014

Haythornthwaite Beverley Reserve Pinot Noir Martinborough 2013

Junction Possession Pinot Noir Hawke's Bay 2014

Newton Forrest Cornerstone Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot Malbec Hawke's Bay 2013

Ngatarawa Proprietors Reserve Syrah Hawke's Bay 2013

The Boneline Waimanu Pinot Noir Waipara Valley 2014

 

New World Champion Open White Wine (also in other categories)

Pure Gold

Allan Scott Family Winemakers Riesling Marlborough 2014

Rapaura Springs Reserve Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2015

Saint Clair Premium Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2015

The Ned Waihopai River Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2015

Vidal Estate Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2015

Waipara Springs Riesling Waipara Valley 2015

 

Liquorland Champion Open Red Wine (also in other categories)

Pure Gold

Craggy Range Single Vineyard Pinot Noir Te Muna Road Vineyard Martinborough 2013

SOHO Revolver Merlot Cabernet Franc Malbec Waiheke Island 2014

Spy Valley Pinot Noir Marlborough 2013

Te Tera Pinot Noir Martinborough 2014

 

Names of the gold medal winners by region

 

Auckland

SOHO Revolver Merlot Cabernet Franc Malbec Waiheke Island 2014

 

Hawke's Bay

Babich The Patriarch Cabernet Sauvignon Malbec Merlot Hawke's Bay 2013

Beach House Syrah Hawke's Bay 2014

Church Road Grand Reserve Chardonnay Hawke's Bay 2013

Church Road Grand Reserve Syrah Hawke's Bay 2013

Church Road McDonald Series Syrah Hawke's Bay 2013

Elephant Hill Syrah Hawke's Bay 2014

Esk Valley Chardonnay Hawke's Bay 2014

Junction Possession Pinot Noir Hawke's Bay 2014

Kim Crawford Small Parcels Wild Grace Chardonnay Hawke's Bay 2014

Matua Single Vineyard Syrah Hawke's Bay 2014

Mission Estate Jewelstone Chardonnay Hawke's Bay 2014

Newton Forrest Cornerstone Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot Malbec Hawke's Bay 2013

Ngatarawa Proprietors Reserve Syrah Hawke's Bay 2013

Saint Clair Pioneer Block 17 Plateau Merlot Hawke's Bay 2014

Selaks Founders Merlot Cabernet Hawke's Bay 2014

Sileni Estate Selection The Peak Syrah Hawke's Bay 2014

Vidal Reserve Hawkes Bay Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon 2013

Villa Maria Library Release Chardonnay Hawke's Bay 2010

Villa Maria Reserve Chardonnay Hawke's Bay 2014

 

Wellington / Wairarapa

Craggy Range Single Vineyard Pinot Noir Te Muna Road Vineyard Martinborough 2013

Gladstone Vineyard Rosé Wairarapa 2015

Haythornthwaite Beverley Reserve Pinot Noir Martinborough 2013

Julicher Pinot Noir Martinborough 2013

Te Tera Pinot Noir Martinborough 2014

 

Nelson

Brightwater Vineyards Pinot Gris Nelson 2015

Brightwater Vineyards Pinot Noir Nelson 2014

Seifried Winemaker Collection Sweet Agnes Riesling Nelson 2015

Waimea Family Estate Albariño Nelson 2015

 

Marlborough

Allan Scott Family Winemakers Riesling Marlborough 2014

Awatere River by Louis Vavasour Late Harvest Gewurztraminer Marlborough 2014

Catalina Sounds Pinot Gris Marlborough 2015

Daniel Le Brun Methode Traditionnelle Blanc De Blanc 2009

Dashwood Pinot Gris Marlborough 2015

Delta Hatters Hill Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2014

Deutz Marlborough Cuvée Blanc de Blancs Méthode Traditionnelle 2011

Giesen Single Vineyard Selection Ridge Block Pinot Noir Marlborough 2013

Giesen The Brothers Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2014

Isabel Pinot Gris Marlborough 2015

Johanneshof Cellars Gewurztraminer Marlborough 2014

Lake Chalice The Raptor Chardonnay Marlborough 2014

Lawson's Dry Hills Gewurztraminer Marlborough 2014

Lowlands Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2015

Nautilus Chardonnay Marlborough 2014

Nautilus Cuvee Marlborough Brut NV NV

Peter Yealands Riesling Marlborough 2015

Rapaura Springs Reserve Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2015

Saint Clair Godfrey's Creek Reserve Pinot Gris Marlborough 2014

Saint Clair Pioneer Block 10 Twin Hills Chardonnay Marlborough 2014

Saint Clair Pioneer Block 11 Cell Block Chardonnay Marlborough 2014

Saint Clair Pioneer Block 3 43 Degrees Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2015

Saint Clair Premium Pinot Gris Marlborough 2014

Saint Clair Premium Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2015

Saint Clair Wairau Reserve Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2015

Sileni Exceptional Vintage Pourriture Noble Marlborough 2014

Spy Valley Envoy Riesling Marlborough 2010

Spy Valley Pinot Noir Marlborough 2013

Starborough Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2015

The Ned Waihopai River Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2015

Tohu Mugwi Reserve Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2014

Vidal Estate Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2015

Villa Maria Reserve Pinot Noir Marlborough 2013

Villa Maria Single Vineyard Seddon Pinot Gris Marlborough 2015

Villa Maria Single Vineyard Southern Clays Pinot Noir Marlborough 2013

Villa Maria Single Vineyard Taylors Pass Chardonnay Marlborough 2014

Villa Maria Single Vineyard Taylors Pass Pinot Noir Marlborough 2013

Volcanic Hills Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2015

Whitehaven Chardonnay Marlborough 2014

Whitehaven Gewurztraminer Marlborough 2014

Yealands Estate Single Vineyard Pinot Gris Awatere Valley, Marlborough 2015

 

Canterbury

Greystone Pinot Gris Waipara Valley 2015

The Boneline Waimanu Pinot Noir Waipara Valley 2014

Waipara Springs Riesling Waipara Valley 2015

 

Central Otago

Akarua Vintage Brut 2010

Akitu A2 Pinot Noir Central Otago 2014

Archangel Stefania Riesling Central Otago 2012

Aspiring Flats Rosé Central Otago 2015

Ceres Black Rabbit Vineyard Riesling Central Otago 2015

Coal Pit Tiwha Pinot Noir Central Otago 2014

Fifth Bridge Pinot Noir Central Otago 2014

Greylands Ridge Pinot Noir Central Otago 2014

Kuru Kuru Pinot Noir Central Otago 2014

Tarras Vineyards Single Vineyard The Canyon Pinot Noir Central Otago 2014

Terra Sancta Miro's Block Dry Riesling Central Otago 2014

 

Overview:

Gold medals by varietal

Sparkling

4

Gewürztraminer

3

Pinot Gris

9

Riesling

7

Sauvignon Blanc

11

Chardonnay

12

Sweet White Wine

4

Rosé

2

Pinot Noir

18

Merlot, Cabernet and Blends

6

Syrah

7

Albariño

1

Total

84

 

Gold medals by region

Auckland

1

Hawke’s Bay

19

Wellington / Wairarapa

5

Nelson

4

Marlborough

41

Canterbury

3

Central Otago

11

Total            

84

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