6 June 2008: Wild Earth Wines, a young Central Otago winemaker, has just been awarded the Trophy for Top New Zealand Pinot Noir at the Decanter World Wine Awards in London. This competition is the world's largest with over 9,000 entries and is regarded as the toughest wine judging event globally.
In addition to the Trophy award, the Wild Earth Pinot Noir 2006 was awarded two Gold Medals, one at the Decanter competition and the other in the concurrent International Wine Challenge 2008, also judged in the United Kingdom.

6 June 2008: Pruning is happening across the Central Otago region now the grapes are in. The region has produced a record vintage in 2008 - with estimates of between 8000 and 10,000 tonnes of grapes harvested, more than double the previous biggest vintage in 2006. New Zealand Winegrowers official statistics for the 2006 vintage were 4612 tonnes, and 3434 tonnes for 2007 - cool weather at flowering had resulted in poor fruit set and smaller berries last year. This year several new wineries came on stream producing their first commercial crops, and berry and bunch sizes across the region were generally bigger. Some winemakers have likened the vintage to that in 2003 which produced some very good wines. Rudi Bauer, from Quartz Reef, said there were yield variations across the region and expected those with lower yields would produce some very good wines. He estimated about 25% of the grapes produced had gone outside of the region.

6 June 2008: The seventh Central Otago Pinot Noir Celebration will be held on the 30th and 31st January 2009 in Queenstown. Confirmed delegates for the 2009 Celebration include world-renowned wine writer Jancis Robinson MW, who, after attending her first Celebration in 2005, described the event as "surely the most relaxed pinotfest ever."

RIPPON has notched up some fantastic ratings for their Pinot Noir from one of the world's most influential wine writers - Bob Parker's "The Wine Advocate" - reviewed by Neal Martin. The 2006 and 2004 vintages were both rated 95 points (outstanding) while the 2005 vintage scored 91 points

Central Otago Winegrowers Association has been awarded a major grant from Organics Aotearoa New Zealand (OANZ) to advance the region in developing organic viticulture. This is the first of its kind for viticulture in New Zealand.

Working in conjunction with Organic Winegrowers of New Zealand (OWNZ) the programme will act as a pilot project that can be replicated in other winegrowing regions throughout the country and aims to be an inspiration to the wider New Zealand viticulture industry.

Martin Anderson president of the Central Otago Winegrowers Association said the programme was important to ensure the quality and soil health of the region is maintained. "The future of our region and the products we produce is reliant on the health of our lands and waterways, we are taking a considerable step in the right direction to protect the future generations of land users," he said. It is intended a number of vineyards will sign up to the programme by the end of 2008, 50% by 2010 and the majority by 2015.

Also just this week the UK Sommellier Awards have been released, with Pisa Range Estate Black Poplar Pinot Noir 2006 shortlisted. Judged by 44 of the top sommeliers, restauranteurs & wine consultants in the UK. These awards are a unique view on what the restaurant industry regards as the best wines on the market by those who have to list them, reccomend them and pour them on a daily basis.

9 April 2008: Thirty nine endangered tieke/saddleback are settling into a new home on one of Fiordland's special predator-free islands thanks to the combined efforts of a winery with a special interest in these unique birds.
Peregrine Wines staff and supporters of their company joined DOC staff late last month capturing the birds from South Passage and Breaksea Islands and releasing them onto Te Kakahu o Tamatea/Chalky Island as part of a programme to extend populations of tieke back over their original range.
The transfer of the birds was funded by Peregrine Wines through the Fiordland Conservation Trust as an extension of their interest in the conservation of threatened native species.

SYDNEY PINOT NOIR TROPHY FOR GIBBSTON HIGHGATE PINOT NOIR

March 5th 2008: The Sydney International Wine Competition is one of the few wine competitions in the world to award trophies to wine for their compatibility with food. The Air Sea Global Perpetual Trophy for Best Pinot Noir of the Competition was awarded to Gibbston Highgate Estate ‘Soultaker’ Pinot Noir 2006.

HARVEST BEGINS IN CENTRAL OTAGO

March 5th 2008:The grape harvest began at Bendigo today with the first pinot noir grapes brought in for making methode traditionelle at Quartz Reef winery in Cromwell.
February 15th 2008: Bird nets are going up around Central Otago now as fruit ripens quickly in the vineyards. The summer season has been extremely hot at times, with temperatures some days reaching into the late 30's (Celsius) and many expecting an earlier harvest than usual. Winemaker Grant Taylor, (formerly of Gibbston Valley Wines and now Valli Wines) was last week likening the season to the 1998, when some stunning wines were made in the region.

Vineyards and orchards throughout Central Otago have been assisted with labour this year by 232 Vanuatuans and 8 Solomon Islanders - roughly half of them working on the vineyards for a 4-5 month period. This is an ongoing project which began last year with 45 island visitors working in the region, says project manager Craig Howard, from Seasonal Solutions.
Their colourful music and singing has also been an asset to the weekly Cromwell Farmers Market and other festivals and events over the summer.

COMING EVENTS
PBT Gibbston Harvest Festival - 15th March 2008
Clyde Wine & Food Festival - Easter Sunday 23rd March 2008
...more info

PROCEEDS FROM PINOT NOIR CHARITY AUCTION TO BENEFIT OTAGO CHILDREN
31st January 2008
Central Otago Winegrowers will again combine to produce a Central Otago Cuvée from the 2008 vintage. Futures on the Celebration Cuvee were sold at the highly successful auction held at the Central Otago Pinot Noir Celebration on the 26 January.

The $25,000 proceeds from the auction will go to the Starship Foundation, a charity is set up to provide additional equipment, support and help to staff, patients and families at the Starship Children's Hospital in Auckland. The Starship Foundation also funds specific paediatric projects around the country which aim to boost the health and wellbeing of children nationally.

6th December 2007

From a list of 15,000 wines worldwide, Amisfield Pinot Noir 2005 is the sole New Zealand red to make it on to Wine Spectator's prestigious list of the Top 100 Wines for 2007. The Amisfield Pinot Noir 2005, has been ranked No 22 by the most influential wine magazine in the United States. This is the second time Amisfield has gained this honour, the 2005 list acknowledging the Amisfield Pinot Noir 2003.
Peregrine Pinot Noir 2006 has also been awarded 92 points and "Editors Choice" in both the USA magazines, Wine Enthusiast and Wine Spectator and has also been rated 96/100 in Goumet Traveller Wine Magazine.

26th November 2007:
Two wines from Central Otago won trophies at the Air NZ Wine Awards announced on Saturday night. Rockburn Pinot Noir 2006 took out the Fairfax Media Champion Open Red Wine Trophy, and a newcomer, Crawford SP Rise-n-Shine Central Otago Pinot Noir from Kim Crawford, won the Air Sea Global Champion Pinot Noir Trophy. Rise-and-Shine Creek is the home of gold mining in Bendigo, Central Otago. The grapes for this wine came from the Clearvue Vineyard on the northern end of the Bendigo Loop Road.

....read the full story here
See our Hot Deals page to purchase these wines!!

26th November 2007: Also this weekend the Winestate Magazine Wine Awards were announced in Australia, where Olssen's of Bannockburn Slapjack Creek Pinot Noir 2005 won the Winestate Pinot Noir Wine of the Year 2007.
Over 10,000 wines were tasted throughout the year with only 20% being rated by Winestate. (Unfortunately 2005 was a very small vintage and stocks are all gone).

WIN A 6-PACK OF FINE OTAGO WINES - From now until Christmas, each order of a dozen wines from OTAGOWINE.COM qualifies for one entry in the draw! (free delivery in NZ)

13th November 2007:
Hot off the press today are the results of the Air New Zealand Wine Awards 2007. Central Otago gold medal winners include:
Gibbston Valley Pinot Blanc 2006, Lake Hayes Pinot Gris 2007, DeVine Wines Pinot Noir 2006, Goldfields Pinot Noir 2006, Lamont Pinot Noir 2005, Hawkdun Rise Pinot Noir 2006. and Rockburn Pinot Noir 2006. Mondillo Pinot Noir 2006 also won a "pure gold" medal in the new class for sustainable wines.
Organised by New Zealand Winegrowers, the awards attracted 1,540 entries this year. Trophies will be announced on Saturday, November 24, 2007....read more here
International judges included (from left to right) Tom Carson, James Rodewald, Peter McCombie MW, and Mike de Garis.
Please enquire for availability of any of the above wines...

17th October 2007: "New kid on the block" - Judge Rock, a small family winery from Alexandra has leapt into the limelight with five stars - Best Buy in Cuisine magazines NZ Pinot Noir tasting this month! At $29.95 Judge Rock Pinot Noir 2006 is a great value pinot - "...this elegant wine by winemaker Carol Bunn is built around a good core of authentic Pinot Noir flavours of earth, cherry and spice."

Also with 5 stars, from Central Otago, were

• Rockburn Pinot Noir 2006 - described by international wine judge Dineen as "almost text-book perfection. Rich, with an intense, savoury, velvet texture. Silky, fleshy and fragrant with fantastic use of oak." The 2006 Rockburn Pinot Noir was the first for winemaker Malcolm Francis. He joined Rockburn at their new McNulty Road winery/cellar door in Cromwell for the 2006 vintage, having spent four vintages as assistant winemaker at Felton Road.
• Valli Gibbston Vineyard Pinot Noir 2006 - "A more masculine style, beautifully put together, with an alluring violet-tinged aroma and black-fruit richness."
• Bald Hills Pinot Noir 2005 - "Jam jars full of ripe plums on the nose...firm yet appropriate tannins plus great weight and intensity."
  Both of the last 2 wines were made by Grant Taylor.

See our SERIOUS CELLAR NZ PINOT NOIR SELECTION - and our TOP PICKS

3rd October, 2007 - Bald Hills Vineyard from Central Otago has won six trophies at two of the world’s most prestigious wine shows including Champion Red at the International Wine Challenge.
Winning a Regional and an International Pinot Noir Trophy at the Decanter World Wine Awards 2007 was a thrill for Central Otago’s Bald Hills Vineyard, but when this success was repeated the following week with Bald Hills Pinot Noir 2005 taking out the Champion Red Trophy at the International Wine Challenge (IWC) Dr Blair Hunt and his wife Estelle realised their vineyard was producing something very special.
The 4th Decanter World Wine Awards Dinner, held in London’s Victoria and Albert Museum early in September, saw winemakers from across the globe celebrating in style amongst the expansive canvases of the museum’s Raphael Room. The New World triumphed with a sizeable collection of awards including a groundbreaking win for New Zealand over Burgundy in the Pinot Noir category with Bald Hills Pinot Noir 2005 claiming the International Pinot Noir Over £10 Trophy, having earlier secured the Regional New Zealand Trophy.

The following week at a prestigious gathering at the Grosvenor Hotel in London’s Park Lane, the IWC announced their top 9 Champion awards to the very best wines in the 2007 competition as well as other industry awards. Earlier in this competition, as judges tasted and assessed the 9,358 wines that had been submitted, in what has become the world’s largest blind tasting, Bald Hills Pinot Noir 2005 had been named a regional winner with the New Zealand South Island Pinot Noir Trophy. It was also one of 19 international award winners with the International Pinot Noir Trophy. However the ultimate accolade was announced during the awards ceremony where Bald Hills stole the limelight with their Pinot Noir being hailed as the International Wine Challenge 2007 Champion Red.

The final honour was still to come with the announcement of the IWC Planet Earth awards which have been introduced to reflect an important trend in consumer demand, as well as rewarding those who not only excel in winemaking but also put the planet at the heart of their wine making activity. Once again Bald Hills took centre stage and claimed their second champion title with the Planet Earth Sustainability Trophy Enquire for availability

September 2007: Spring is here now although fresh snow on the mountains is keeping the air cool and crisp - a beautiful time of year in Central Otago where the fruit trees are starting to blossom and before the mad rush to Christmas. There are new releases of wines almost daily, we list so many labels now it is getting hard to keep up! We're starting to see the first of the 2007 white wines, too, including a new Riesling from Valli made from grapes from 25-year-old vines! (in some parts of this region grapes have been planted for a relatively long time).

Sept 2007: Central Otago pinot noirs were once again in the lineup with medals at the NZ Winegrowers Bragato Wine Awards held in Auckland recently.

Gold medals:
Gibbston Valley Wines Gibbston Valley Reserve Pinot Noir 2006, Kingsmill Estate Tippet's Dam Pinot Noir 2006, Mud House Swan Central Otago Pinot Noir, Rockburn Wines Limtied Rockburn Pinot Noir, Rockburn Wines - Rockburn Pinot Noir 2006.
The Rockburn gold medal is a first for winemaker Malcolm Francis. He joined Rockburn at the new McNulty Road winery in Cromwell for the 2006 vintage, having spent four vintages as assistant winemaker at Felton Road and three vintages in Oregon, USA.

Silver medals:
Aurum Riesling 2006, Mt Diffuculty Target Gully Riesling 2006, Wild Earth Central Otago Riesling, Chantmarle Vineyard Ltd Mount Dottrel Pinot Noir, Alexandra Wine Company Davishon Pinot Noir 2006, De Vine Wines De Vine Pinot Noir 2006, Gibbston Highgate Estate Soultaker Pinot Noir 2006, Judge Rock Pinot Noir 2006, Lowburn Ferry Central Otago Pinot Noir 2006, Mt Diffuculty Pinot Noir 2006, Pisa Range Estate "Black Poplar Block" Pinot Noir, Valli Vineyards Valli Gibbston Vyd Pinot Noir, Vinpro Winery Domain Road Pinot Noir, Waitiri Creek Pinot Noir, Wild Earth Wines Blind Trail Central Otago Pinot Noir,
Lamont Pinot Noir 2005, Mt Difficulty Wines Single Vineyard Long Gully Pinot Noir 2005, Olssen's Jackson Barry Pinot Noir 2005

July 2007: Two Central Otago winemakers have gone to Oregon as guest speakers at the International Pinot Noir Celebration 2007. Grant Taylor (Valli) and Steve Davies (Carrick) will take part in three days of seminars, tastings, tours and one-of-a-kind meals with sixty international Pinot noir winemakers, all within the beautiful backdrop of Oregon wine country. Its international camaraderie has brought the IPNC much acclaim for its convivial "summer camp" spirit.

Devine Pinot Noir 2006 recently won a gold medal at the prestigious San Francisco International Wine Competition. The competition attracted over 1000 entries from 21 countries. This was the first vintage made from this new label, and was made by Matt Evans.

Small Central Otago Vineyard, Bald Hills, whose mission is to make wines which reflect the unique nature and aspect of its Bannockburn site, has won the International Pinot Noir Trophy New Zealand South Island for their Pinot Noir 2005 at the London based International Wine Challenge which announced results live at Vinexpo in Bordeaux on June 18.

Boasting 9358 entries from around the globe the IWC claims to be the "biggest and best" blind tasting in the world. What sets the IWC apart is the number of times wines are tasted to earn their awards. Just 84 of these 9358 exemplary wines have distinguished themselves as deserving of an IWC trophy, less than 1% of all entries.

Bald Hills Pinot Noir 2005 underwent at least four separate blind tastings by a panel of experienced judges before emerging the best of the coveted Gold Medal winners in its category and being awarded the Trophy.

The same wine won the New Zealand Pinot Noir over £10 Trophy at the 2007 Decanter World Wine Awards , announced last month. The 2007 Decanter World Wine Awards saw a total of 7,642 wines evaluated from every major international winegrowing region over a week in April.It was the first time Bald Hills had entered their wines in these prestigious UK based competitions.

The wine was made by well known Central Otago winemaker Grant Taylor, who has a string of national international trophies for pinot noirs he has made over the past decade.. [ Bald Hills wines ]

Visiting Central Otago recently was New Zealand winewriter Michael Cooper, where he was researching and updating his Wine Atlas of New Zealand for re-release later this year. Pictured here he is discussing terroir with soil scientist and grower Roger Gibson, from Lowburn Ferry Vineyard. The Wine Atlas should be available for sale for Christmas here at www.otagowine.com

Local wine growers are moving to protect the integrity of the Central Otago wine producing region, now that it enjoys international renown for the quality of its wines.

The Central Otago Winegrowers Association (COWA) is preparing a case for the Geographic Indication (GI) registrar to obtain its own regional GI which will serve to protect the name "Central Otago" and its sub regions.

A Central Otago GI would enhance the distinctiveness and value of the wines produced in the area and be a valuable marketing tool both domestically and overseas, said COWA president Martin Anderson.
'Champagne' is the most prominent international GI and can only be used on sparkling wine originating from that region in France. Other well-known geographical indications include Florida Oranges, Prosciutto di Parma, and New Zealand Lamb.


Parliament in New Zealand recently passed The Geographical Indications (Wines and Spirits) Registration Act 2006 which will come into effect later this year.

De Vine Wines is a blend of three individuals, whose love of good wine and the Central Otago lifestyle is paramount. Matt Evans winemaking career began in 1998 at Gibbston Valley where he assisted in creating over half a dozen award winning Central Otago labels and helping Gibbston Valley to amass more awards for Pinot Noir, Riesling and Pinot Gris than any other producer in the country. During his 9 years of winemaking Matt has travelled the world extensively increasing winemaking skills and knowledge, mainly to Oregon, USA, to work in premium wineries. Matt is now on his 18th vintage of making high quality cool climate varietals. [ Click for more]

A long mild autumn has been welcomed by Central Otago winegrowers to end what has for many been a trying season. Harvest volumes for some are well down on last year's bumper crop, due mostly to cooler weather during the critical flowering stages in early summer, and some early season frost events.
Winemakers are generally in agreement that the fruit coming in has been good quality, with most of the vintage now in.
The effect of a cool early growing season has been variable across the Central Otago winegrowing district. At Mt Difficulty the vintage was about 20% down on earlier estimates, however assistant winemaker Roger de Grauw said the quality was right up there with good flavours and intense wines. "I think it will be a bit like 2005, but without the underlying unripeness," He said the vintage had been a "cruisy" one, and the weather had been "very kind."
Vinpro contract winemaker Carol Bunn said she was happy with the vintage overall, with fruit generally having nice flavours, good concentration, and more physiological ripeness than the 2006 wines. The resulting wines are looking "quite structural with good colour and fine tannins," she said. The last of the fruit, some Syrah and Pinot Gris, should be in by the end of the week.

But in parts of the region some growers haven't been so lucky with crop volumes. Winegrowers across the district have reported harvests of between 25% and 80% of their original pre-season estimates.

CENTRAL OTAGO WINE STARS

Two Central Otago wines have topped their classes at the 54th Royal Easter Show Wine Awards...

Mt Difficulty Wines won the Champion Riesling - Red Badge Security Trophy for its Mt Difficulty Target Gully Riesling 2006
Wooing Tree Rosé 2006 won the Champion Rosé - Novotel Ellerslie Trophy.

Gold medals were also awarded to the following Central Otago wines:
Mt Difficulty Target Gully Riesling 2006, Bannock Brae Barrel Selection Pinot Noir 2005, Olssens Jackson Barry Pinot Noir 2005, Waitiri Creek Pinot Noir 2005, Wild Earth Pinot Noir 2005, Wooing Tree Rose 2006
Silver medals:
Hawkdun Rise Pinot Noir 2005, Locharburn Central Otago Pinot Noir 2005, Mt Difficulty Pinot Noir 2005, Peregrine Saddleback Pinot Noir 2005, Rosé Akarua Pinot Rose 2006, Gibbston Valley Blanc de Pinot Noir 2006, Olssens Summer Dreaming Rose 2006

SYDNEY INTERNATIONAL WINE COMPETITION 2007:
The following Central Otago wines featured in the top results of this competition recently:
Pinot Noir Wines with Blue-Gold awards (wines that matched particularly well with foods):
Amisfield Pinot Noir 2005, Wild Earth Pinot Noir 2005, Bald Hills Pinot Noir 2005, Gibbston Valley Central Otago Pinot Noir 2005, Wild Earth Pinot Noir 2004
The Amisfield and Wild Earth wines were also selected in the Top 100 wines of the competition

Central Otago Wine Events Coming Up...

Clyde Wine & Food Festival - Clyde township, Easter 2007

The SIXTH Central Otago Pinot Noir Celebration will be held Friday 25th and Saturday 26th January 2008.
For more information, and registrations of interest - go to pinotcelebration.co.nz

"I would now without hesitation serve a Pinot Noir from New Zealand alongside, or even ahead of, a Pinot Noir from Burgundy" - OZ CLARKE

The man credited as having one of the world's finest wine tasting palates says New Zealand pinot noirs are poised to take the world by storm.

Oz Clarke was recently in New Zealand for Pinot Noir 2007.

"In the three years since I was last here, regional characteristics, vineyard characteristics, vintage characteristics, and winemaker characteristics have leapt ahead to such an extent that I would now without hesitation serve a Pinot Noir from New Zealand alongside, or even ahead of, a Pinot Noir from Burgundy."

"And I believe that the time has come when Burgundy should stop looking down at New Zealand as an upstart, and that Burgundy and New Zealand should respectfully shake each other's hands as different but equal partners in the world of fine wine."

"And whereas Burgundy can still provide peaks of pleasure, usually in tiny quantities and at considerable cost… with the advance of the plentiful and excellent 2006 vintage, New Zealand, from Napier to Queenstown, is truly establishing a track record of lush, scented, fascinating, pleasurable Pinot Noirs in ever increasing quantities and at affordable prices.

"In (my time here) I've found wines I guarantee I would consistently prefer to Burgundies in blind tastings.

"New Zealand really is producing some of the most thrilling wine in the world."

- The SIXTH Central Otago Pinot Noir Celebration is fast becoming a reality! If you enjoy good food, wine, like-minded people and amazing scenery then this event is for you. In what has been described by world-renowned wine writer Jancis Robinson as "Surely the most relaxed pinotfest ever", the Central Otago Pinot Noir Celebration gathers Wine & Food enthusiasts from around the world for two days of fine cuisine, fun and exceptional wine. Friday 25th and Saturday 26th January 2008.
For more information, and registrations of interest - go to pinotcelebration.co.nz

PBT Gibbston Harvest Festival March 17th, 2006. 11am to 4pm - Waitiri Creek Winery, State Highway 6, Gibbston, Queenstown This event is a non-profit fundraiser with proceeds going to the Bruce Grant Trust. Music and fun for the whole family in a relaxed scenic atmosphere. There will be sixteen participating wineries and thirteen local restaurants. You are also welcome to bring your own picnic lunch to be enjoyed in the open air grounds. Fun and games for kids. Entry fee: Adults $10, plus $2 for tasting glass. Children gold coin donation. Public transport available. Tickets are available at In Touch Visitor Centre, Queenstown - cnr Shotover and Camp Streets, or online at www.gvwines.co.nz

Peregrine Wines has won a distinguished honour in the Starwine International Wine Competition 2006 in the USA. Not only did it take out Best of Class - Top Gold Medal for its Peregrine 2003 Pinot Noir, Peregrine also received the TOP STAR AWARD as the highest scoring wine in the competition. Wines were evaluated by 45 world class sommeliers.

Peregrine Winery in the Gibbston Valley has also been picked by the New York Post as one of five wineries in the world to visit. "The combination of location, the wines and interesting architecture make it cutting edge stuff," said marketing manager Greg Hay. The other four wineries listed were located in Spain, California and Chile. Peregrine's winery is modelled on the wings of the bird that are depicted in its label.

Wooing Tree Pinot Noir 2005, has won the Fairfax Media Champion Open Red Wine Trophy at the Air New Zealand Wine Awards held last weekend. The wine is the first vintage produced from the Wooing Tree Vineyard in Cromwell. The award follows a run of success for this wine which includes gold medals at both the Air New Zealand and the recent New Zealand International Wine Show. "In the last few months the wine has been consistently well reviewed, and this was the icing on the cake," said co-owner Stephen Farquharson. The wine was made by Carol Bunn, of Vinpro Winery in Cromwell.

Lowburn Ferry Vineyard in Central Otago has gained international recognition with its 2005 Pinot Noir winning a gold medal at a prestigious wine show in Austria.

The results of the AWC Vienna 2006 International Wine Challenge were announced last week. The AWC Vienna 2006 is the second largest international wine competition with 5118 wines entered out of 29 nations over five continents, and together with London, Bordeaux, Verona and Brussels represents one of the world's most important wine trophies
“The endorsement of a significant competition such as this one is very timely given the impending launch of our wines in the international market,” said Roger Gibson. Some of the wine has been exported to the UK and USA, and the wine is being released in New Zealand this week. Lowburn Ferry is currently looking for partnerships with importers or distributors in other markets for the 2006 vintage of which significantly larger volumes will be available (Click for full story)

This newsletter is somewhat over due and I have to take the blame. During September instead of working away on my computer keeping up to date with the Central Otago wine world in the post pruning/pre budburst lull I escaped for a month in France for a training exchange learing how it is that Burgundian's make their great wines....After the course I headed to the village of Ladoix-Serrigny to the Domaine of Capitain-Gagnerot - a domaine established over 200 hundred years and ago now on to its 7th generation family winemaker (Patrice Capitain) with the 8th currently in training. Read my full report here....(Burgundy Exchange)

Heading off to Burgundy, France, this month for a taste of tradition and culture at the pinot noir capital are three Central Otago personalities: viticulturalist Nick Paulin, of Felton Rd Wines, Bannockburn, Rippon assistant wine maker Brett Reddington and Otago Polytechnic viticulture part-time lecturer Roger Gibson (also of Lowburn Ferry Vineyard and OTAGOWINE.COM).

They will spend one month in the Cote d’Or region of Burgundy working in vineyards, as well as attending courses at the CFPPA, a viticulture technical institute in Beaune. The exchange has been funded by the participating businesses and with some financial assistance from the Central Otago Winegrowers’ Association (COWA)

The exchange programme will help set new standards in the wine-making industry, with the two regions striving to find the perfect balance between each others’ techniques and practices. “It’s a great way for people to get into viticulture and wineries; you can only teach so much in the classroom, the rest has to be learnt on the vineyard. And there’s no better place to do this than in Burgundy,” says Roger.

Peregrine Pinot Noir 2004 has added to its list of accolades winning the coveted trophy for top Pinot Noir in the Tri-Nations Wine Challenge held in Sydney recently. “This latest honour cements a consistent performance by the winery and our winemaker Peter Bartle, who has now won this particular award an unprecedented three years in a row, it’s an outstanding result for us,” said marketing manager Greg Hay. “We were delighted just to be selected as one of the finalists by New Zealand wine aficionado Bob Campbell let alone topping the entire field of tri-nation wines,” Mr Hay said. New Zealand, Australian and South African wines compete in the challenge. Whilst the 2004 is now sold out... “The good news is that already the 2005 Peregrine Pinot Noir is being picked as the best vintage the winery has produced,” Mr Hay said.

The Pisa Range Estate “Black Poplar Block” Pinot Noir 2003 was awarded GOLD (Best in Class) at the 2006 International Wine & Spirit Competition recently. The prestigious competition attracted record entries - almost 6000 entries from 73 countries. Only four gold medals (best in class) were awarded in the pinot noir category. Other Central Otago wines placed with silver medals included Mt Difficulty Pinot Noir, Carrick Pinot Noir, and Pisa Moorings Pinot Noir 2004.

Gibbston Valley Wines have scored a rare two gold medals in the prestigious San Francisco International Wine Challenge for their 2005 vintage Pinot Noirs.
The competition is the largest and most prestigious in North America – this year a panel of 40 judges swirled, sipped and spat their way through more than 3,800 individual wines.
Both wines entered – the Gibbston Valley Pinot Noir 2005 and the Gibbston Valley Reserve Pinot Noir 2005 - shot to the top of their class to each take a Gold Medal.
"This is a fabulous result, " says Gibbston Valley. "2005 was a cool vintage and has produced beautifully concentrated wines with depth and elegance. The harvest gave us the quality to produce both our signature Pinot Noir, and also our much sought after Reserve label. We already knew that this vintage produced fabulous white wines," (the Gibbston Valley 2005 Riesling won the NZ Champion Trophy) "and it is a great delight to see both our premium pinot noirs gaining such high international acclaim".

Hawkshead Vineyard is situated in the heart of the Gibbston 'Valley of Vines' on the highway between Cromwell and Queenstown.
Owned by former parliamentarian Denis Marshall and his partner, Ulrike Nevill - the focus is on careful land use and soil management, with minimum interference with nature.
The first vines were planted in 2001, and a second block was planted in 2003.
The north sloping vineyard site is between 390 and 410 metres above sea level, and on average is likely to ‘experience’ 870 – 930 Growing Degree Days. The soil structure contains up to 400-500 mms of wind blown glacial deposits overlaid with around 4-5 meters of free draining alluvial schist. The rainfall each year is approximately 650 mm. Working within these climatic parameters is challenging. Like the extreme adventure tourism Central Otago is famous for, growing grapes in this environment is also exciting. 47 degrees South is right on the edge, but as with any venture the rewards are well worth the risks.
The wine is made by multi-award winning winemaker Grant Taylor, whose own vineyard, Valli, is next door.

Central Otago wine producers gathered recently to donate 225 litres of premium pinot noir to a good local cause. The barrel filling of the Central Otago 2006 Celebration Cuvee was marked by the donation of $15,000 to Queenstown and Wanaka Search and Rescue groups.
Futures on the Central Otago 2006 Celebration Cuvee were sold at the highly successful auction held at the Central Otago Pinot Noir Celebration in January this year, on behalf of the Central Otago Pinot Noir Charitable Trust. Also auctioned was the magnificent artwork by leading Auckland artist, Michael Hight, from his series of beehives entitled, "Nevis Road".
The Celebration included a series of tastings and workshops by well known winemakers and pinot noir experts with delegates attending from all round the world. The event concluded with the auction which drew a fantastic response from both New Zealand and overseas bidders.
The 2006 Celebration Cuvee will be nurtured by local Bannockburn-based winemaker, Matt Dicey of Mt. Difficulty, with bottling scheduled in mid-2007.

Winemaker Grant Taylor has left Gibbston Valley Wines after 14 years of crafting internationally successful wines. Grant has been described as "legendary" - his wines winning numerous medal and trophies, with the crowning glory being the Gibbston Valley 2000 Reserve Pinot Noir which was champion at the London International Wine Challenge.

Putting that behind him, Grant is looking forward to spending more time pruning in his own vineyard.

Grant launched his own wine brand, Valli, in 1998 and his previous vintages have been made from grapes sourced from Lowburn, Bannockburn, Gibbston and the Waitaki Valley.

Central Otago's 2006 vintage of 4,612 tonnes was up 220% on the previous two vintages - according to official statistics from the New Zealand Winegrowers survey.

Nationwide, the harvest is up 11%, with a total 185,000 tonnes harvested. Central Otago represents about 2.5 percent of the national production.

Harvest of Pinot Noir, New Zealand's second most exported style this year, increased by over 50 per cent, rebounding to expected levels with a larger harvest in central and southern regions. This is positive news as exports of Pinot Noir this year are growing at 56 per cent, the report said

The vintage is a new record for the industry, up 11 per cent on the previous mark of 166,000 tonnes set in 2004. This growth is a result of the 18 per cent increase in producing vineyard area developed over the same timeframe. The 2005 vintage was down, at 142,000 tonnes, due to cool weather during the critical flowering period.

Some comments from around the region:

At Felton Road (Bannockburn) harvest began on 17th March and continued until 13th April, and winemaker Blair Walter said growing conditions had been amazing. "It was a wonderful growing season, incredibly dry, very health looking vines and fruit." He compared the vintage to those of 2001 and 2003, which had made some very nice wines. Yields were on target and in some cases above, but the vines had good reserves after the small 2005 vintage so the bigger crop wasn't an issue, he said.

Black Ridge (Alexandra) winegrower Sue Edwards: "The vintage was pretty good in terms of quality and quantity. Lots of good flavours, sugars were high...we're absolutely confident."

William Hill (Alexandra) winemaker David Grant: "It was the earliest harvest we've ever had. I'm really impressed with the flavours - star performers were Clone 5 and Clone 115 (pinot noir)....Weather over the whole vintage was fantastic, we never had to frost-fight and it gave us the ability to choose when to pick each block."

Mt Edward (Gibbston Valley) co-winemaker Duncan Forsyth said it was good to have a full cellar after the last two vintages. "2006 will be one of the good vintages, but whether or not it will be a great vintage time will tell."

Carol Bunn, Vinpro winemaker, who makes wine for growers all over the region, said it was a true Pinot Noir year, where the wines would show elegance and finesse, and the differences between subregions could show through more than in other vintages. "Wines are generally looking good," she said.

UK magazine "Decanter", just released, lists two five-star ratings for Central Otago pinot noirs - Peregrine 2003 Pinot Noir and Mt Difficulty Roaring Meg Pinot Noir 2003 - while four stars (highly recommended) went to the following pinot noir wines: Lowburn Ferry 2003, Carrick 2002, Cornish Point 2003, Mount Michael 2002, Mount Difficulty 2003.

Lowburn Ferry Vineyard in Central Otago scooped three of the top trophies, including CHAMPION WINE OF SHOW at the Bragato Wine Awards held in Gisborne on Saturday night. The winning wine was Lowburn Ferry Pinot Noir 2003, made from the first vintage harvested on the 3ha vineyard in the Lowburn Valley, 5km north of Cromwell in Central Otago.

The Bragato Wine Awards 2005 were held in conjunction with the annual grape and wine industry Romeo Bragato Conference in Gisborne. These awards are unique in New Zealand in that they recognise the grapegrowers, the vineyard and excellence in viticultural practice. Viticulturalist Roger Gibson also picked up the coveted Mike Wolter Memorial Trophy for Champion Pinot Noir Table Wine, and the trophy for Champion Red Table Wine. [click here for more]

26th August 2005: Three top Otago Pinot Noir wines have won gold medals at the Bragato Wine Awards, held in conjunction with the annual grape and wine industry Romeo Bragato Conference in Gisborne. These awards are unique in New Zealand in that they recognise the grapegrowers, the vineyard and excellence in viticultural practice.
Golds were awarded to: Lowburn Ferry Pinot Noir 2003, Desert Heart Pinot Noir 2003, and Mt Difficulty Target Gully Pinot Noir 2003

        

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