Sacred Hill triple champion at Hawke’s Bay Wine Awards

MEDIA RELEASE
17 October 2012

Sacred Hill triple champion at Hawke’s Bay Wine Awards

Sacred Hill Vineyards had a triple win last night at the Hawke’s Bay A&P Mercedes-Benz Wine Awards dinner receiving Reserve Champion Wine of Show, Champion Red Blends – Merlot Dominant and Champion Museum Class.

Sacred Hill’s 2010 Brokenstone won the Reserve Champion Wine of the Show and Champion Red Blends – Merlot Dominant and its Riflemans Chardonnay 2007 was named Champion of the Museum Class.

Chief winemaker Tony Bish attributes the winery’s success to its winemaking team’s experience, attention to detail at every stage of the winemaking process, and the positive ethic of the team in the vineyard.

“Wine isn’t just made by winemakers, it’s made by the people in the cellar and in the vineyards. It’s an effort of the whole team,” says Mr Bish.

Mr Bish says it was a great tribute to receive champion awards for the traditional wines Hawke’s Bay is renowned for including Chardonnay and Merlot.

“To stand out as the top wine in the Merlot and Chardonnay classes against other Hawke’s Bay wines is an achievement we are really proud of.”

Sacred Hill’s 2007 Riflemans Chardonnay proved the winery’s older wines age beautifully, winning champion of the Museum Class. Wines in this category have to be older than 2008 and no longer in current supply. They are not eligible to enter other categories.

“2007 was the vintage of the decade for our Riflemans Chardonnay. In another couple of years it will be close to its optimum. Receiving the Champion Museum Class award reinforces that our Special Selection wines are age-worthy and worth cellaring,” says Mr Bish.

The awards celebrate a diverse range of wine styles produced at top level with an international judging standard and according to Mr Bish demonstrate the strength of the wines in Hawke’s Bay.

The awards dinner was held at the Waikoko Gardens in Hastings. The Hawke’s Bay A&P Mercedes-Benz Wine Awards are organized by the Hawke’s Bay A&P Society. The committee is made up of Wine Industry and Hawke’s Bay A&P Society representatives. The unique regional awards are the largest regional wine competition in New Zealand.

For more information go to www.hawkesbayshow.co.nz and www.sacredhill.com

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