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.

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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