November 15 2013
Remarkable success continues for Gibbston Valley School House Pinot Noir at the 2013 Air New Zealand Wine Awards
Multi award-winning Gibbston Valley Winery is celebrating once again after receiving its fourth consecutive Pure Gold
Medal for its premium 2012 School House Pinot Noir at the Air New Zealand Wine Awards.
The results of this year’s awards were issued earlier this week (November 13 2013) by the New Zealand Winegrowers
Association marking an unprecedented success for the winery.
The first Gibbston Valley School House Pinot Noir, from the 2009 vintage, was awarded Pure Gold in the 2010 Air NZ Wine
Awards, a feat repeated by each subsequent vintage
(2010, 2011, 2012).
Before the awards were announced, winemaker Christopher Keys said the Gibbston Valley team was “interested to see if
this uninterrupted run of success would continue with the 2012 vintage”.
“This vineyard’s unique characteristics are improving with vine age. What a tremendous vineyard. It’s a special site and
delivers the most beautiful fruit every year. We’re really blessed to have it.
“This is a very happy result for us,” said Mr Keys.
Of the four Pure Gold winning vintages, Keys feels the 2012 Gibbston Valley School House Pinot Noir has the potential to
“be the best”.
“I think it has a lovely balance - it is set for a long life. As the vines age we are seeing this vineyard hit its
straps,” said Mr Keys.
The same wine drew special praise recently from New Zealand wine writer Raymond Chan, who said the School House was an
“out of the box” pinot noir.
“Something special has happened from this site in this vintage. Dark with intense black fruits, the concentration is
stunning and startling. The power and length is a feature in what seems to be a remarkable wine. I can’t wait to see
this again with some time on it,” said Mr Chan.
For Gibbston Valley, the award success was magnified with a second Pure Gold for the 2012 Gibbston Valley Pinot Noir.
“This is our highest volume Pinot Noir, so that is a great result,” said Mr Keys.
“It’s a clear pointer to the quality of the 2012 vintage in Central Otago.”
“I’m extremely pleased with the region’s success this year.”
ENDS