Top accolades for Riflemans Chardonnay at Royal Easter Show Wine Awards
Sacred Hill winery has scooped a Gold Medal for its 2006 Riflemans Chardonnay at this year’s 55th Royal Easter Show Wine
Awards.
The medals for New Zealand’s oldest wine competition were judged in Auckland on 23rd and 24th February by long serving
chairman of judges Bob Campbell, and prominent Australian wine judge Mike DeGaris.
The Riflemans Chardonnay has already gained numerous trophies and gold medals since its release and is regarded as one
of New Zealand’s top chardonnays.
“It’s great to see this vintage continue to be held in such esteem and pedigree by wine judges,” says Tony Bish, Senior
Winemaker Sacred Hill.
“This is a unique wine in that it is a single vineyard wine produced from 19 year old Mendoza Chardonnay vines. These
naturally low yielding vines produce an intense distinctive chardonnay that speaks of its origin.”
Bish says 2006 had almost perfect growing and ripening conditions during the autumn months to provide optimum ripeness.
Riflemans Chardonnay comes from the Sacred Hill Special Selection range which represents the pinnacle of the wineries
winemaking craft.
Sacred Hill also received two silver medals for its Marlborough Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc 2007 and Basket Press Merlot
Cabernet 2006.
“It’s fantastic to create wines that not only stand out as some of the best produced locally, but are also commercially
priced,” says Bish.
Overall the Sacred Hill Wine Group was awarded gold, three silver and eleven bronze medals.
“These medals continue to confirm the vineyard’s reputation of a quality approach to viticulture and winemaking,” says
Bish.
Trophies associated with the 55th Royal Easter Show Wine Awards will be announced at a special Awards dinner to be held
on 8th March in Auckland.
www.sacredhill.co.nz
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