Mills Reef Celebrates Trophy Win At NZ Wine Show

Media Release 10.11.03

Mills Reef Celebrates Trophy Win At Top NZ Wine Show

Leading New Zealand winemaker, Mills Reef Winery, continued it's remarkable run of success last Saturday night (November 8) winning a trophy at the Air New Zealand Wine Awards for it's newly released Bordeaux-style red wine, Elspeth Malbec 2002.

The trophy was presented at the awards dinner held in Auckland and represents Mills Reef's sixth successive trophy in as many years at the show, regarded by the wine industry as NZ most important and prestigious show.

According to winemaker Paddy Preston the trophy is a "hugely satisfying achievement", with each vintage of Elspeth Malbec since the first in 2000 achieving trophy status.

Paddy says "Malbec is traditionally used as a blending wine, but we're showing that as a single varietal wine grown in the Gimblett Gravels, it's producing stunning results".

The company also won 21 medals this year for both red and white wines, including 5 gold medals for the Elspeth Malbec 2002, Elspeth Merlot Cabernet 2002, Elspeth Merlot Block 4 2002, Reserve Merlot 2002 and Reserve Chardonnay 2002.

Grapes for the award-winning wines were grown at the winery's own Mere Road vineyard, situated in the Gimblett Gravels region of Hawkes Bay.

Mere Road vineyard has proven itself as a true success story. "The warm dry climate and free-draining gravel soils gives it the x-factor for producing outstanding Bordeaux style reds and Syrah," said Mr Preston.

Of the 1223 wines entered into the competition by 202 entrants, 77 golds were awarded with 29 going to Hawkes Bay wines, of which Mills Reef gained five. An outstanding result for Mills Reef, showing prominently amongst the Hawkes Bay wines.

Previously Mills Reef has received trophies at the Air New Zealand Awards for its Elspeth Malbec 2001, Elspeth Syrah 2000, Elspeth Cabernet Sauvignon 1998, Elspeth Merlot Cabernet Syrah 1998 and Elspeth Cabernet Merlot 1997.

ENDS

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