News Archive
15 December
Gimblett Gravels to launch Annual Vintage Selection
Twelve wines, selected by Andrew Caillard MW, to showcase Gimblett Gravels 2008 vintage.
It
may appear that the Gimblett Gravels Winegrowers Association (GGWA) has
been lying low since the spectacular Masterclass successes in Taupo and
London in 2008 and 2009, respectively.
In reality, the Association
has been quietly plotting the next phase in its campaign to promote
Gimblett Gravels wines around the globe.
The first of several
initiatives to be launched over coming months is the creation of the
Annual Vintage Selection of 12 Gimblett Gravels red wines, independently
selected by an internationally respected wine critic. Andrew Caillard,
Master of Wine and Director of Sydney based auction house, Langtons, was
pleased to be involved in the inaugural selection of wines from the
2008 vintage.
For further information, read the media release here
Babich Patriarch 2007 caps off a stellar year
Babich’s
flagship ‘The Patriarch’ caps off a phenomenal year of local 5 Star
reviews and high scores with an International Gold Medal for the 2007
vintage.
The Patriarch is a premium red wine from Hawke's Bay –
made to honour the memory of the company founder and New Zealand wine
industry pioneer, Josip Babich. Only the best grapes from the best
vintages are used in The Patriarch – in 2007 this was heavily crop
thinned Cabernet Sauvignon (49%), Malbec (29%) and Cabernet Franc (22%)
from the famous Gimblett Gravels Irongate vineyard. The Patriarch is a
hand made wine and only produced in small quantities
This wine was released earlier in the year and has already received the following accolades:
5 STARS -Winestate Magazine, March 2010
5 STARS, ‘CLASSIC’ -Michael Cooper's Buyer's Guide to New Zealand Wines 2011
5 STARS -Yvonne Lorkin, Hawke's Bay Today, 12 June 2010
5 STARS, 94 POINTS -Bob Campbell MW, bobswinereviews.com, July, 2010
5 STARS, 18.5 POINTS (/20) -Geoff Kelly Wine Reviews, Aug 2010
5 STARS, 95 POINTS -Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, Aug 2010
5 STARS, 96 POINTS -Gourmet Traveller Magazine, Bob Campbell MW, October 2010
TOP TIP -TiZwine.com, 30 August 2010
TOP 5 (NZ Cabernet and Blends) -Cuisine Magazine, Sep 2010
The
most recent result was a GOLD MEDAL (96 POINTS) at the Cathay Pacific
Hong Kong International Wine and Spirit Competition. This Competition is
the only truly Asian competition designed specifically for the tastes
and consumption preferences of the Asian market.
With this latest result it is no wonder that China has become Babich’s largest market for this wine.
(source - Babich media release)
30 November Air New Zealand Trophy Winners - Pictures
Left - Gavin Yortt, Squawking Magpie, collecting the Syrah trophy for the Stoned Crow Syrah 2008.
Right - Damian Fischer, Trinity Hill, collecting the Other Red Varietals trophy for the Tempranillo 2008.
26 November "Sick of..." Trinity Hill Gimblett Gravels Tempranillo!
“Sick
of writing the notes for this wine –because it wins all the time!” was
the comment from Chairman of Judges Steve Smith MW when the Trinity Hill
Gimblett Gravels Hawke’s Bay Tempranillo scored it’s fourth successive
trophy at the Air New Zealand Wine Awards held this week.
“Generous
and rounded with lifted aromas of dark plum, dried fruit and floral
notes. Excellent palate with a plush mouthfeel” announced the notes in
the Trophy & Gold Medal Guide given to those who attended the awards
dinner…”The producer of the top wine here has a great reputation for
innovation and started the Syrah story in Hawke’s Bay. They have won
this trophy (Other Red Styles) since 2007, with this 2008 Tempranillo
being a wonderful example of juicy, rich, slightly spicy red wine,
without being too big” it continued.
It soon became a case of
heavy metal as two further gold medals were awarded to their Gimblett
Gravels Hawkes Bay Noble Viognier 2009 and the Gimblett Gravels Hawke’s
Bay Syrah 2008. “Rich and complex, this is saturated with honey and
dried fruit flavours with a richly textured and luxurious palate” is
what the Air NZ judges said about the Noble Viognier followed by
“Youthful and charming on the nose with blueberry and floral notes
followed by an attractive fleshy palate” for the HB Syrah.
All
three of these wines were also included in the Blue Gold, Top 100 and
Highly Commended categories at the prestigious Sydney Top 100 Wine Show
while Trinity Hill’s Noble Viognier was also joined by their 2010
Hawke’s Bay Sauvignon Blanc and their Gimblett Gravels Syrah 2008 were
also finalists and Top 5 in Winestate Magazine’s Wine of the Year issue.
“It’s amazing to think that New Zealand has relatively little Syrah
planted when it can achieve such heights” wondered influential UK wine
writer/blogger Jamie Goode at a recent tasting of “Trinity Hill’s
wonderful Sarah's” at Providores in London. The Gimblett Gravel’s syrah
clearly made a big impression, “brilliant in all three vintages” praised
Goode. Also at the tasting were Ben Smith of Enotria, Jancis Robinson
MW, Andrew Neather and Peter McCombie.
(reproduced from Trinity Hill press release)
Trophy Winner Comes Right Out of Left Field at Air New Zealand Wine Awards!
Te
Awa is back in force after an extended hiatus from the wine show
circuit, with their Left Field Hawke’s Bay Merlot Malbec 2009 ($26)
scooping the coveted trophy for Champion Cabernet Sauvignon or
Merlot/Cabernet Blend at this week’s Air New Zealand Wine Awards.
Left
Field is a mid-tier range produced by this pioneering winery situated
smack in the heart of Hawke’s Bay’s Gimblett Gravels region on State
Highway 50, and the wines are proving a popular choice with visitors to
the cellar door, retail shoppers and restaurant diners alike.
“Lifted
aromas of cassis, floral and spicy oak with a concentrated and
beautifully harmonised palate” is what the judges had to say in the Air
New Zealand Wine Awards Trophy and Gold Medal Guide for 2010, winemaker
and General Manager Ant Mackenzie concurs. “I am absolutely delighted
with this win for not only us but for Hawke’s Bay as a whole. Te Awa has
always had a strong reputation with red blends; this result certainly
confirms the calibre of the vineyard and indeed the 2009 vintage.”
Vintage
2009 was definitely kind to Te Awa as this Trophy announcement comes
hot on the heels of a Gold Medal for the Te Awa Noble Chardonnay 2009
and a Gold Medal for the Te Awa Left Field Syrah 2009 were awarded to
the Te Awa team at the Hawke’s Bay A&P Mercedes-Benz Wine Awards
last month.
(reproduced from Te Awa press release)
17 SeptemberTri-Nations Wine Challenge 2010
12 Gimblett Gravels wines go into bat for New Zealand at the annual Tri-Nations Wine Challenge held in Sydney this weekend.
Gimblett Gravels wines have performed outstandingly in the past, in various categories, so hopes are high.
This
competition is unique in that leading wine authorities from New
Zealand, Australia and South Africa select the wines to compete against
each other. Bob Campbell MW is the New Zealand selector.
Results will be announced early next week here and at www.trinationswine.com
The Gimblett Gravels wines featured comprise:
Other White Varieties and White Blends Class
Craggy Range Viognier 2009
Merlot Class
Craggy Range Merlot 2008
Villa Maria Reserve Merlot 2007
Syrah/Shiraz Class
Villa Maria Cellar Selection Syrah 2008
Trinity Hill Homage Syrah 2007
Vidal Reserve Syrah 2007
Villa Maria Reserve Syrah 2007
Cabernet Sauvignon Class
John Forrest Collection Cabernet Sauvignon 2005
Bordeaux Blends Class
Blake Family Vineyard Redd Gravels 2007
Craggy Range The Quarry 2007
Mills Reef Elspeth Cabernet Merlot 2007
Villa Maria Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2007
21 August"....the bold and confident approach".
In
an article published today in the Southland Times, veteran New Zealand
wine writer, Warren Barton, has cited the Gimblett Gravels (Winegrowers
Association) as one of New Zealand's most "successful" marketing
alliances, acknowledging "....the bold and confident approach" taken to
promote "... the best reds off the Gravels up against some of the finest
in the world".
To read the full article, click on the following link:
http://www.stuff.co.nz/southland-times/life-style/wine/4045698/Getting-the-message-across
6 AugustWorld's press pay Homage to Gimblett Gravels wine
More
rave reviews have emerged from around the world regarding the Trinity Hill Homage
Syrah 2007. Awarded 19.5 points out of 20, it features on the September
2010 cover of Decanter Magazine - the second time in its short history
for this top Gimblett Gravels Syrah.
For further information, read Trinity Hill's press release here
7 July
Gimblett Gravels first ever tasting in BordeauxGimblett
Gravels wines from 2005, 2007 and 2009 vintages have recently been
shown, to great interest and acclaim, to winemakers and wine critics in
the heart of Bordeaux.
Led by Craggy Range Director, and Master
of Wine, Steve Smith, wines from Craggy Range, Trinity Hill, Sacred
Hill, Villa Maria and Church Road were tasted.
For further information, click here 2 JulyIWC Trophy for John Forrest Collection Syrah 2006Following
our May 21st report, the 2006 vintage John Forrest Collection Syrah,
from the Newton Forrest Gimblett Gravels vineyard, has not only won a
gold medal but also secured the Gimblett Gravels Syrah Trophy at the
2010 International Wine Challenge.
In
further news, this wine is one of 6 Gimblett Gravels wines chosen out
of 10 New Zealand Syrahs recommended by Tim Atkin MW in the next issue
of Decanter Magazine. The wines are (in alphabetical order):Babich Gimblett Gravels Syrah 2007;
Craggy Range Le Sol Syrah 2007;
John Forrest Collection Syrah 2006;
Trinity Hill Syrah 2007;
Vidal Syrah 2008;
Villa Maria Cellar Selection Syrah 2007.
23 JuneWarren Gibson appointed Executive Winemaker at Trinity Hill
Following
the announcement of the governments $1.2 million funding over two years
for a wine export push into the United States, John Hancock, the
founder and president of Trinity Hill Wines in Hawke’s Bay is taking a
step sideways into the world of sales, marketing and export strategy
whilst handing the executive winemaker reins to long-serving senior
winemaker Warren (Wazza) Gibson.
For further detail, click here
18 June2010 Harvest Summary
There is no doubt that 2010 will produce some of the most interesting wines yet from the Gimblett Gravels.
For more detail, click here
8 JuneTwo Gates' first releases make an impact
Two
Gates Vineyard, a boutique organic producer, has already received high
acclaim for its first commercial releases, a pair of certified organic
red wines from the 2007 vintage.
Bob
Campbell MW, Michael Cooper and John Hawkesby have all favourably
reviewed the Two Gates Syrah and Two Gates Omahu (Merlot/Cabernets
blend) - click here for further information.
6 JuneAssemblage Syrah raises NZ$4150 for charity
As
reported in May, for the fourth consecutive year, members of the
Gimblett Gravels Winegrowers Association generously donated individual
Syrah wines to create a unique Assemblage.
The
wine was specially created for the 2010 Midlands Mortgage Trust
Hawke’s Bay Charity Wine Auction, with the proceeds going in aid of
Cranford Hospice.
From
the stellar 2009 vintage, each member’s Syrah component was carefully
blended by winemaker Gordon Russell and bottled into both standard and
magnum formats.
With an audience in generous mood, bidding was
frenetic; the lot being secured for NZ$4150. The total amount raised
from the night exceeded $110,000, with individual wines from Gimblett
Gravels members contributing almost a quarter of that total.
Special thanks go to the Members who generously contributed to the wine, namely :
Beach
House Wines, Craggy Range Winery, Crossroads Winery, Matariki Wines,
Mills Reef Winery, Mission Estate, Newton Forrest Estate, Sacred Hill
Wines, Squawking Magpie Wines, Te Awa Winery, Trinity Hill Wines, Unison
Vineyard, Villa Maria Group.
4 JuneGimblett Gravels members at heart of USA initiative
Member
wineries, Craggy Range, Trinity Hill and Villa Maria are part of a 21
winery group selected to become ambassadors for a New Zealand Super
Premium wine push into the USA.
The
group, chaired by Craggy Range's Steve Smith MW, and sponsored by NZ
Winegrowers and Trade & Enterprise, aims to convince the US market
that New Zealand wines deserve to be considered among the world's
finest.
For further information, click here
1 JuneGimblett Gravels at Hot Red Expo
Red wines from 8 Gimblett Gravels members will feature in the 2010 Hot Red Hawke's Bay Wine Expo this month.
This
annual event showcases red wines from Hawke's Bay and will visit
Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch between 15-17th June.
Gimblett Gravels members attending are:
Babich
Church Road (Pernod Ricard)
Crossroads
Matariki Wines
Mission Estate Winery
Te Awa
Trinity Hill
Villa Maria Group (including Esk Valley and Vidal)
The event is open to trade and, limited, public entry. Tickets are available from Ticketek.
For further information, visit www.winehawkesbay.co.nz
25 MayUnique Assemblage for Charity AuctionFor
the fourth consecutive year, members of the Gimblett Gravels
Winegrowers Association have generously donated individual Syrah wines
to create a unique Assemblage.This wine has
been specially created for the 2010 Midlands Mortgage Trust Hawke’s Bay
Charity Wine Auction, with the proceeds going in aid of Cranford
Hospice, to be held Saturday 5 June.From the stellar 2009 vintage,
each member’s Syrah component has been carefully blended by winemaker
Gordon Russell. The assemblage has been bottled into both standard and
magnum formats. The bottles have been hand filled and sealed with high
quality cork covered by a traditional wax finish.
Gimblett
Gravels Syrah wines have already achieved substantial domestic and
international acclaim, both from leading wine critics and in competition
and this assemblage is a unique offering of exceptional wine.
Members
contributing to this wine comprise: Beach House Wines, Craggy Range
Winery, Crossroads Winery, Matariki Wines, Mills Reef Winery, Mission
Estate, Newton Forrest Estate, Sacred Hill Wines, Squawking Magpie
Wines, Te Awa Winery, Trinity Hill Wines, Unison Vineyard, Villa Maria
Group.
Individual members are also submitting other Gimblett Gravels wines as separate lots.
For online bidding and further information on the wines on offer, visit www.charitywineauction.co.nz
20 MayLeading Australian wine writer lauds Gimblett Gravels Syrahs
In his Sydney Morning Herald article on May 18th, leading wine commentator, Huon Hooke, raved about Hawke's Bay Syrahs, specifically referring to the Gimblett Gravels as .."a great terroir for red grapes". 
Tasting a pre-selected lineup, Huon rated the following 5 Gimblett Gravels Syrahs as gold medal or trophy standard:
Craggy Range Le Sol 2007 - "searing intensity, ironstone and minerals again, taut and needing time but tremendously deep and focused"
Mission Estate Reserve 2007 - "delicious floral/violetsfruit, silken texture, fine tannins, great balance, line and length"
Esk Valley 2007 - "coffee grounds, big and inky, very concentrated, strong tannin structure but a core of impressively rich fruit"
Trinity Hill Homage 2007 - "dense colour, impressive concentration, black fruits and spices, density, weight and power"
Vidal Reserve 2007 - "expressive floral, spicy and black-fruit aromas, beautiful texture and smoothly elegant concentrated flavour"
Villa Maria Reserve 2006 - "a significantly oakier style, sweetly ripe andweighty with deluxe succulence and palate harmony"
23 AprilGimblett Gravels Syrah for Hollywood Icon
Steven Spielberg has discovered Gimblett Gravels Syrah, specifically Trinity Hill's Homage Syrah.
Click here here for more detail.
23 March 2010Harvest 2010 underway.
The first Gimblett Gravels grapes are finally being harvested after a season delayed by a slightly cooler than usual summer.
White
varieties such as Pinot Gris and Chardonnay are leading the way and
early indications are that the fruit is clean with good sugar levels.
Although slightly lower yields are evident, this is resulting in
concentrated and intense flavours.
At this stage, the first reds are likely to be picked in April, shortly after Easter.
23 March 2010Wine Spectator rates 2 Gimblett Gravels Syrahs 93 points.2
Syrahs from the stellar 2007 vintage have just received some of the
highest ever ratings for New Zealand red wines from Wine Spectator
magazine.
93 points were awarded to each of Craggy Range Le Sol Syrah 2007 and Te Awa Syrah 2007.
In
addition, Merlot predominant blend Craggy Range Sophia 2007 received a
90 point rating, reinforcing its ranking given by Wine Spectator's
Harvey Steiman and other tasters at a San Francisco tasting in October
2009 (click here for further information).
25 February 2010Gimblett Gravels in Matthew Jukes' 60 Best New Zealand Wines
4 GG wines feature in the 60 Best New Zealand Wines for 2010 listed by leading UK wine commentator, Matthew Jukes.
The 4 wines are:
Craggy Range Les Beaux Cailloux Chardonnay 2007;
Craggy Range Le Sol Syrah 2007;
Esk Valley Merlot Cabernet 2007;
John Forrest Collection Syrah 2006.
For a full list of wines, visit Matthew's website www.matthewjukes.com
23 November 20093 more trophies at Air New Zealand Wine Awards
Gimblett Gravels wines collected 3 more trophies at the weekend, reaffirming their status as New Zealand's leading region for fuller bodied reds. Click here for more detail.
11 November 2009Golds galore at Air New Zealand Wine Awards
Gimblett Gravels wines added 12 more Gold Medals to the trophy cabinet at the 2009 Air NZ Wine Awards.
Click here to read more.
16 October 2009Gimblett Gravels Trophy Bonanza at Hawke's Bay A&P Mercedes Benz Wine Awards
Champion Wine of Show, Best Sustainable Wine of Show, 6 category trophies and 12 gold medals – this was the haul for Gimblett Gravels wines at the recent Hawke’s Bay A&P Mercedes Benz Wine Awards, judged by a panel of leading international and local palates. Click here to read more.
16 October 2009Mills Reef Double Gold at MUNDUS Vini
The MUNDUSvini International Wine Award is a competition held in Germany for wines from all the wine-growing regions in the world. Click here for more detail.
9 October 2009 - Media ReleaseGimblett Gravels: ‘Serious Contenders’.
Red wines produced from a tiny 800 hectare appellation, the ‘Gimblett Gravels’, continue to gather international attention and recognition. Click here to read more.
5 October 2009Liquorland Top100 results
Gimblett Gravels 2007 vintage wines dominated the fuller bodied reds categories, securing 2 trophies and 6 gold medals at the Liquorland Top 100 awards, announced today. Click here to read more.
1 October 2009
Harvey Steiman - Wine Spectator review
"Any way you look at it, the folks who make make wines from Merlot and Cabernet in New Zealand’s Gimblett Gravels district proved that they belong on the same table as those from big-name Bordeaux châteaus. The Kiwis did it the only legitimate way, in a blind tasting against the best"
So says Harvey Steiman following a tasting organised by Gimblett Gravels member, Craggy Range, in San Francisco recently. 6 wines, 2 from Craggy Range and 4 from other Gimblett Gravels members were tasted blind along with leading wines frm Bordeaux.
Harvey, along with other leading wine critics, ranked their wines with the overall group scores emerging, as follows:
Craggy Range Sophia 2007 ($50): group rank: 1
Church Road Tom 2005 ($85): group rank: 2
Sacred Hill Helmsman 2007 ($50) group rank: 3 (tie)
Château L’Evangile Pomerol 2005 ($250): group rank: 3 (tie)
Blake Family Vineyard Redd Gravels 2006 ($54): group rank: 5
Craggy Range Sophia 2005 ($50): group rank: 6
Château Pavie St-Emilion 2006 ($200): group rank: 7
Château Pontet-Canet Pauillac 2005 ($190): group rank: 8
Vieux-Château-Certan Pomerol 2006 ($175): group rank: 9
Château Rauzan-Ségla Margaux 2005 ($140): group rank: 10
Château Mouton-Rothschild Pauillac 2006 ($695): group rank: 11
Trinity Hill The Gimblett 2006 ($30): group rank: 12(prices in US$) Harvey added, "One element working in New Zealand’s favor is price. The Bordeaux in this tasting ranged from $140 to $695 per bottle. The Kiwi reds sell for $45 to $85, but they are made in very small quantities, on the scale of hundreds of cases vs. thousands for the Bordeaux. 23 September 2009September Show Success - New World Wine Awards, NZ International Wine Show, Tri-Nations Wine Challenge.
Click here for further details.
Romeo Bragato Success
It has been another successful weekend for Gimblett Gravels at the 2009 Romeo Bragato conference in Napier.
Click here to read more.
25 May 2009Unique Syrah Offering
Gimblett Gravels wine fans have the chance to secure a unique 2008 Assemblage Syrah, especially created and donated as an auction lot at the Midlands Hawke’s Bay Charity Wine Auction on 30 May 2009.
Proceeds go to a very worthy cause, the Cranford Hospice, Hawke’s Bay’s specialist palliative care service. The Gimblett Gravels lot is number 17; bids for this, and other unique lots, can be made online via www.charitywineauction.co.nz.
Bottled into 12 x 750ml & 12 x 1500ml (Magnum) formats, this wine is an assemblage of Syrah donated by members of the Gimblett Gravels Winegrowers Association.
From the excellent 2008 vintage, each member’s Syrah component has been carefully blended by winemaker Gordon Russell. The bottles have been hand filled and sealed with high quality cork covered by a traditional wax finish.
Gimblett Gravels members contributing to the wine comprise: Beach House Wines, Craggy Range Winery, Matariki Wines, Mission Estate, Newton Forrest Estate, Sacred Hill Wines, Squawking Magpie Wines, Trinity Hill Wines, Unison Vineyard, Villa Maria Group.
Critics Comments
In the wake of the Gimblett Gravels London masterclass tasting in February, there have been other international tastings involving wines from Chile and California compared against leading Bordeaux.
It has prompted Jancis Robinson MW to recently summarise on her website www.jancisrobinson.com that …” the Gimblett Gravels producers certainly proved that they make wines very similar to top Bordeaux – at a fraction of the price..” 
Not to be outdone, the other ‘star red variety’, Syrah, has been the focus of recent attention by Winewise Magazine, one of Australia’s revered publications that has just celebrated 25 years of publication.
On the front cover of its April 2009 edition - featuring a tribute to Australian Shiraz - it shows a photograph of the Gimblett Gravels wine growing district and poses the question: “Is this the best Shiraz region in the world?”
Need we say more?!!
International Success
Gimblett Gravels red wines have excelled at two of the world’s largest wine competitions, the Decanter World Wine Awards and the International Wine Challenge. Click here to read more
With judging standards incredibly high and in context with global wine styles, achieving trophy or gold medal success is an incredible achievement.
In the Decanter World Wine Awards, Villa Maria secured the NZ Bordeaux Varietal Trophy (over £10) with their Reserve Merlot 2006, with Craggy Range scoring a Gold Medal for their Merlot blend, Sophia 2005.
Syrah shone in the International Wine Challenge, with Mission Estate securing rare gold medals for both their Reserve and Jewelstone Syrahs, both from the 2007 vintage.
Vintage 2009 report
Vintage 2009 on the Gimblett Gravels will be one to remember for red grape varieties and is expected to create some of the best ever wines to date. Click here to read more. 24 March 2009More ‘Golden Eggs’ at Royal Easter Show
Gimblett Gravels red wines added 2 more trophies and 8 Gold Medals to its burgeoning tally at the 2009 Royal Easter Show Wine Awards. Click here to read more
20 February 2009 Media Information: London Bordeaux & Gimblett Gravels Masterclass Tasting Gimblett Gravels wines repeat strong showing against top Bordeaux
A gathering of some of the UK's leading palates struggled to separate Gimblett Gravels wines from First Growth Bordeaux 2005. Click here to read more
23 October 2008Media Information: MasterClass tasting Bordeaux & Gimblett GravelsTaupo Surprise!
Fledgling New Zealand winegrowing district Gimblett Gravels is recognised as a serious challenge to some of the world’s finest wines.
A very exclusive event took place in Taupo this past Saturday. A selection of six New Zealand produced ‘off the shelf’ wines from the tiny 800ha Gimblett Gravels wine-growing district in the Hawke’s Bay were tested against six very highly-rated wines from the celebrated Bordeaux region in France.
Click here to read more>>  | |  | The Top 6 - The top ranked wines - 1-6 (left to right) | | International wine judge, James
Halliday, announces the results. |
Further International Recognition for Gimblett Gravels Reds
10 September 2008
Two prestigious International Wine Awards have recently announced their results, with three trophies being awarded to wines from the Gimblett Gravels.
Both the 2008 International Wine Challenge and Decanter World Wine Awards feature rigorous reviewing of wines from all over the globe. Gold medals and trophies are notoriously hard to come by; indeed, Decanter state that less than 3% of the 9219 entered wines received such accolade.
Villa Maria’s Reserve Merlot 2005 secured Decanter’s Regional Trophy for Red Bordeaux varietals over GBP10.
Craggy Range’s Le Sol Syrah 2005 secured an impressive double, winning not only an equivalent Decanter trophy for Red Rhone Varietals but also the NZ Syrah Trophy at the International Wine Challenge.
Trinity Hill’s 2007 Hawke’s Bay Syrah also won a gold medal at the International Wine Challenge.
Gimblett Gravels Stars at Bragato Wine Awards
August 2008
Gimblett Gravels wines added a further 3 trophies and 7 gold medals to its accolades
list following the recent Bragato Wine Awards, celebrating excellence of single-vineyard wines.
Trophies were awarded to the following Gimblett Gravels Winegrowers Association members:
Champion Cabernet Sauvignon – Mills Reef Elspeth Cabernet Sauvignon 2006
Champion Syrah – Newton Forrest Syrah 2006
Champion Other Red Wine – Beach House Montepulciano 2007
Gold medals were also awarded to Mills Reef’s Reserve Merlot Malbec 2007 and Elspeth Syrah 2006, Newton Forrest Malbec 2006 and Craggy Range Gimblett Gravels Vineyard Chardonnay 2007.
Gimblett Gravels – Champions Again!
Syrah from the Gimblett Gravels has continued its extraordinary success with the Villa Maria Reserve Syrah 2006 winning Champion Wine of Show at the 2008 Royal Easter Show Wine Awards, announced 8th March.
This trophy follows an unprecedented 5 Champion Wine of Show successes for Gimblett Gravels Syrah wines in domestic and international wine competitions in 2007.
Other Gimblett Gravels trophy successes at the Royal Easter Show were as follows:
Villa Maria Reserve Syrah 2006 – Champion Wine of Show and Champion Syrah;
Villa Maria Single Vineyard Omahu Gravels Merlot 2006 – Champion Merlot or Merlot Predominant Blend;
Mills Reef Elspeth Malbec 2005 – Champion Wine of Other Varieties;
Trinity Hill Gimblett Gravels Noble Viognier 2007 – Champion Sweet Wine
Other Gimblett Gravels wines won gold medals – a full list of award winning wines is available at www.wineshow.co.nz
Media Release - Gimblett Gravels Syrah Wines Conquer All
Gimblett Gravels, 3 December 2007
2007 has seen Gimblett Gravels grown Syrah create an unprecedented achievement, collecting Champion Wine trophies in five prestigious domestic and international wine competitions.
Early in November, Craggy Range ‘Le Sol’ Syrah 2005 was named the top wine in New Zealand, Australia and South Africa as winner of the Wine of Show Trophy at the Tri-Nations Wine Challenge, beating out not only other top Syrahs and Shirazes from New Zealand, Australia and South Africa but all other red and white wines in the competition.
That was followed, at the Air New Zealand Wine awards, by Trinity Hill Homage Syrah 2006 winning both the Champion Syrah Trophy and the Champion Wine of Show Trophy, eclipsing all other red and white wines at the show. At the same show, Esk Valley Reserve Syrah 2006 won the Champion Exhibition Red Trophy.
These results continue the earlier run of success achieved in the following competitions:
Royal Easter Show – Champion Wine of Show – Esk Valley Reserve Syrah 2005;
Hawke’s Bay A&P Mercedes-Benz Wine Awards – Champion Wine of Show – Vidal Reserve Syrah 2005;
Liquorland Top 100 – Champion Red Wine of Show – Trinity Hill Gimblett Gravels Syrah 2006.
Gimblett Gravels Winegrowers Association Chairman, John O’Connor of Matariki Wines, has offered hearty congratulations to the triumphant vineyards, all foundation members of the Association and avid proponents of the fabulous fruit produced from the special soils and climate of the district. “To Steve Smith (Craggy Range), John Hancock (Trinity Hill), Gordon Russell (Esk Valley) and Hugh Crichton (Vidal Wines) and their teams I would like to convey the admiration of the Association and its members – we salute their skills in bottling the Gimblett Gravels magic. These are all fabulous accolades to be added to an already enormous collection that the district has amassed in its relatively short history.”
O’Connor adds “Indeed, many other Association members’ Syrahs have won gold medals here and overseas this year. There is little doubt that Gimblett Gravels Syrah is a world-beating wine, and set to become New Zealand’s next international star.”
The Gimblett Gravels appellation covers 800 hectares, strictly determined by the gravely soils, laid down by the Ngaruroro river, which were exposed after a huge flood in 1867. Once considered ‘useless’ for agriculture, the district’s gravely soils combine with temperatures often considerably warmer than those enjoyed by sunny neighbouring Hastings city.
Founded in 2001, the Gimblett Gravels Winegrowers Association brings together some of New Zealand’s finest wine producers with a fervent respect for the concept of terroir – harnessing this philosophy with the vineyard soils and microclimate to produce character fruit - as the catalyst for superb wines.
2006 Air NZ Wine Awards - 4 Trophies For Gimblett Gravels
Red wines from Gimblett Gravels members secured 4 trophies in the following categories:
Merlot Class
Villa Maria Reserve Merlot 2004
Click here to read more>>
Golden Run Continues
Gimblett Gravels members’ wines have once again dominated the fuller bodied red wine categories, securing 11 of the 15 Gold medals awarded in the Merlot, Cabernet, Syrah and Other Red Varietal Classes.
Confirming the versatility of this unique district, a Gold medal was also awarded to one member’s Chardonnay.
All Gold medal winning wines have the chance of securing Class Trophies and the ultimate Wine of Show – results to be announced at a gala dinner on Saturday 11th November.
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Hawke's Bay A&P Mercedes-Benz Wine Awards
Gimblett Gravels Champions Again!
Gimblett Gravels reds secured the Champion and Reserve Champion wines of show at the above awards last night.
Champion wine went to Trinity Hill Homage Syrah 2004.
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Gimblett Gravels – The All Blacks of Red Wine?
Showing similar strength in depth to their rugby counterparts, wines produced by members of the Gimblett Gravels Winegrowers Association dominated the red wine categories when the 2006 Tri-Nations Wine Challenge results were announced at the end of August.
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Success at Bragato Wine Awards 2006
Congratulations to Newton Forrest Cornerstone Vineyard for winning the Champion Classical Red Wine and Tom McDonald Memorial Trophy for their Cornerstone Cabernet Merlot Malbec 2002.
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