A Golden Debut for Sacred Hill Marlborough Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc 2002
Sacred Hill are delighted to announce the award of a gold medal at the Air New Zealand 2002 Wine Awards for their 2002
Marlborough Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc. For this wine to be presented with one of only four gold medals for Sauvignon
Blanc at the Air New Zealand show is a rewarding result. While we strive to make the best wines possible from key
regional vineyard sites, it is encouraging to have independent endorsement. To get it at such a high level is indeed
gratifying.
The 2002 Marlborough Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc is indicative of a new era for Sacred Hill. This independent accolade at
New Zealand’s most prestigious wine competition serves to underscore our decision to expand our operations and purchase
key vineyard sites in Marlborough. From our first Fume Blanc through to our current Barrel Fermented Sauvignon Blanc,
Sacred Hill has already established itself as a producer of premium Sauvignon Blanc. However, to ensure the companies
continued development and to satisfy the global demand for Sauvignon Blanc in particular, we felt that it was important
for Sacred Hill to expand into Marlborough.
The 2001 Marlborough Sauvignon was our first release from our Marlborough vineyards, and was a wine that we were very
pleased with. Due to volume limitations it was only made available for export, and we were delighted when the
international press picked up on its quality and distinctive varietal style. Indeed Decanter magazine voted it a ‘Best
Buy’ in its April 2002 issue, and Wine Spectator recognised it as a ‘Smart Buy’ amongst a host of international
releases, in its October 2002 issue.
Encouraged by this reaction internationally, and buoyed by increases in volume we decided to release the 2002 Sauvignon
domestically as well as internationally. Its immediate success at the Air New Zealand Wine Awards is a rewarding- and
independent- confirmation that we are continuing to head Sacred Hill wines in the right direction. The Sacred Hill
Marlborough Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc 2002 is now available. We are sure that when you try it you will echo the judges’
sentiments that this is a truly gold medal wine.
The Sacred Hill Team
Sacred Hill’s other successes at the 2002 Air New Zealand Wine Awards include: Sacred Hill Marlborough Vineyards
Sauvignon Blanc 2002 Gold Sacred Hill Barrel Fermented Chardonnay 2001 Silver Sacred Hill
Brokenstone Merlot 2000 Silver Sacred Hill Helmsman Cabernet 1998
Silver