Wine “Oscar” Nomination A First For New Zealand

International Wine “Oscar” Nomination A First For New Zealand

New Zealand winemaking is about to reach another milestone internationally as Quartz Reef Winemaker Rudi Bauer is the first New Zealand winemaker to be nominated for the prestigious international DER FEINSCHMECKER Wine Awards Winemaker of the Year award.

The awards are unique to Europe and have been likened to the “wine Oscars”. The winner of the award, one of six international awards to be announced, will be revealed in Germany on the 20th March at the Grand Hotel Schloss Bensberg in Bergisch Gladbach, Germany.

The Winemaker of the year award goes to a “personality from the international scene who has continued to produce top wines and who has an outstanding reputation as a winemaker beyond German frontiers.” The six 2010 nominees for this award are from New Zealand, Portugal, France, Austria, Germany and Italy.

This nomination is another first, not only for New Zealand, but also Bendigo Station, the home of world famous Shrek the sheep. The Quartz Reef Estate is split between two vineyards on the station, 15 hectares each.

The nomination is a significant achievement for New Zealand’s reputation as a wine maker internationally, said Philip Gregan, CEO, New Zealand Winegrowers.

“This is the first time a New Zealand wine maker has been a contender in the international wine Oscars and all Rudi’s colleagues will be proud of his achievement.”

In the year to 31 July 2009, the New Zealand wine industry reached the billion dollar mark in wine exports.

“Achievements such as these highlight the New Zealand’s increasing international reputation as a maker of world-class wine,” he said. German born Rudi has been working in New Zealand since 1985. He moved to Central Otago to make the region's first gold and trophy Pinot Noir at Rippon Vineyard in 1991. Rudi moved on to Canterbury to produce consistent medal-winners for Giesen over five years. In 1996 Rudi formed Quartz Reef in Bendigo, Central Otago specialising in Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris and Methode Traditionnelle.

ENDS

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