Visiting US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, got a taste of Wanaka last night at a barbecue hosted by John Key in
her honour when she enjoyed wine from Rippon Vineyard on the shores of Lake Wanaka.
To accompany such Kiwi classics as whitebait, paua fritters, Nelson scallops and wildboar sausages, Steve Logan of Logan
Brown, the mastermind behind the culinary programme, selected one wine from each of New Zealand’s key winegrowing
regions and Central Otago’s offering was the Pinot Noir from Rippon Vineyard.
“We’re thrilled and extremely humbled to have our wine poured at such an important event,” said winemaker, Nick Mills.
“It is a huge testament to Central Otago’s winegrowers that Central was chosen as the region to represent New Zealand
Pinot Noir and it is a tremendous honour that the Rippon Pinot Noir was selected from within the region for this
dinner.”
Lake Wanaka Tourism general manager, James Helmore, said it was great to see local suppliers achieving such notable
acclaim.
“Rippon is renownd as arguably the most scenic vineyard in the world in its remarkable position right on Lake Wanaka
with views stretching across the water the mountains beyond,” he said. “Their selection at this prestigious event goes
to show their wine is just as good as their views and their new tasting room which opens this summer will make the
vineyard a must visit for wine enthusiasts.”
News of last night’s barbecue caps off what has been a great week for Rippon, which started when two of their Pinot
Noirs: Emma’s Block and Tinker’s Field, were awarded 93 points in Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate. This was the highest
rating (shared with 6 other wineries, 4 of them from Central Otago) given to any of the 300+ Pinot Noirs that were
tasted when Lisa Perrotti-Brown, who covers New Zealand for Parker, visited earlier this year.
For further information visit www.rippon.co.nz or www.lakewanaka.co.nz.
-ends-