Saint Clair Continues A Winning Streak

MEDIA RELEASE - 14 NOVEMBER 2007
All That Glitters Is Wine And Gold
Saint Clair Continues A Winning Streak

Family-owned Saint Clair Estate Wines has been awarded a trophy and five gold medals in a very rewarding week of wine accolades at local and international wine awards.

TRI-NATIONS WINE AWARDS 2007
Held earlier this week at the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron in Auckland, the Tri-Nations Wine competition is between New Zealand, Australia and South Africa. Bob Campbell MW from New Zealand, James Halliday from Australia and Michael Fridjhon from South Africa select the top wines from their respective countries to be judged in each class. Renowned wine writer Robert Joseph from the UK takes the role of chairman.

In a Tri-Nations coup, Saint Clair Wairau Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2007 was awarded the Sauvignon Blanc Trophy at this year’s awards bringing its trophy total to an outstanding 28 since the 2001 vintage.

Saint Clair Pioneer Block 4 Sawcut Chardonany 2005 was runner-up for the Chardonnay Trophy at the same awards.

AIR NEW ZEALAND WINE AWARDS 2007
Saint Clair has won five gold medals at these prestigious awards - including gold medals for Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, Gewürztraminer and Merlot across the Saint Clair Reserve, Saint Clair Pioneer Block and Saint Clair Premium Marlborough range. These results reward the outstanding skills of the company’s viticulture and winemaking team. For a family-owned winery to receive gold medals across four grape varieties is no mean feat!

The gold medal-winning wines are:

Saint Clair Marlborough Pinot Gris 2007 (RRP $20.95)

Saint Clair Pioneer Block 1 Foundation Sauvignon Blanc 2007 (RRP $26.95)

Saint Clair Pioneer Block 11 Cell Block Sauvignon Blanc 2007 (RRP $26.95)

Saint Clair Pioneer Block 12 Lone Gum Gewürztraminer 2007 (RRP $24.95)

Saint Clair Rapaura Reserve Merlot 2007 (RRP $26.95)

Saint Clair was also awarded eight silver medals and nine bronze medals at this year's show.

Saint Clair owner and founder, Neal Ibbotson, says, “We are thrilled with these results and excited to have so many varieties awarded with gold and silver medals. As a team, we never take winning for granted. Each accolade demonstrates that our team is creating wines that are rewarding the palate. Our vineyards are the very best quality and our new winery plays a big part, but it is definitely a team effort.”

Saint Clair Estate Wines was founded in 1994 and has received a multitude of prestigious awards and trophies from around the world. The company now has six significant regional vineyard sites and excellent knowledge and experience of which varieties grow best at each site. A high-tech, state of the art, winery opened in March 2006, further enhancing the prestige quality of their wines. This Marlborough winery is experiencing phenomenal success on an international and domestic level.

For more information on Saint Clair Estate Wines visit www.saintclair.co.nz

ENDS.

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