Record Number Of Wineries Enter 2002 New Zealand Wine Society Royal Easter Wine Show
164 New Zealand wineries will compete for the top awards at the New Zealand Wine Society Royal Easter Wine Show 2002.
Auckland, 8 February 2002 – Organisers of the 2002 New Zealand Wine Society Royal Easter Wine Show say they have
received entries from a record 164 wineries competing for this year’s top awards.
Now in its 49th year, the New Zealand Wine Society Royal Easter Wine Show is New Zealand’s oldest competition for the
local wine industry, and also provides the public with an opportunity to sample hundreds of award winning wines.
One of New Zealand's best known wine experts, Bob Campbell MW will be Chairman of Judges. He will be assisted as Deputy
by international judge and wine authority, James Halliday, author of over 40 books on wine.
Terry Dunleavy, Director of the Royal Easter Wine Show, says he is delighted with the number of entrants in the 2002
competition.
“It is wonderful that there will be more wineries than ever before competing for trophies. The appearance for the first
time at a national wine competition of so many new boutique wineries promises to make it harder for the judges, but
fantastic for the wine tasting public of New Zealand,” says Dunleavy.
"The 801 wines entered this year is slightly down on last year's record, due mainly to smaller vintages in 2000 and
2001.
“But it's all about quality, and guidance to consumers. The calibre of the wines, judging and standard of the
competition from the 164 wineries from around New Zealand will be very high.”
Judging of the wines will take place on 16 and 17 February with the results announced from midday on 19 February. A
black tie trophy presentation dinner will take place on Saturday 23 February with an opportunity for the public to
sample all the award winning wines at the Auckland Town Hall on 9 March. Tickets to both events can be purchased by
calling the New Zealand Wine Society on 0800 80 9463.
ENDS