Yealands Most Successful NZ Producer at International Wine Challenge Tranche One
Yealands Wine Group (Yealands) have yet again shown international wine judges that they have some truly special wines on
offer, winning an outstanding four gold medals in Tranche One of the 2018 International Wine Challenge (IWC) held in the
U.K. at the end of last month. Gold medals were awarded to Yealands Estate Single Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2017,
Yealands Estate Single Block L5 Sauvignon Blanc 2017, Yealands Estate Winemaker’s Reserve Central Otago Pinot Noir 2016
and Crossroads Winemaker’s Collection Syrah 2014. Yealands received more gold medals than any other New Zealand wine
producer, achieving the highest number of gold medals they themselves have ever been awarded in Tranche One of the IWC.
A total of fifteen gold medals were awarded to New Zealand wineries, making New Zealand the second most successful
country in the competition, just behind France.
The IWC is split into two tastings known as Tranche One and Tranche Two, to accommodate the different production and
sales schedules across the industry. This is the 35th competition for the IWC, which is accepted as the world’s finest
and most meticulously judged wine competition.
All gold medal winning wines from Tranche One are held in temperature controlled conditions until Tranche Two has been
completed. The final stage is for all gold medal winners from Tranche One and Tranche Two to be tasted again, with
trophy winners being announced in April 2018.
“The IWC is one of the world’s leading wine competitions and we are therefore incredibly excited to again be recognised
on the global stage for the quality of our wines,” says Jeff Fyfe, Chief Winemaker for Yealands. “Having two of our
Awatere Valley Sauvignon Blancs awarded gold medals, up against such strong competition, is a real testament to the
quality of fruit we grow here at the Seaview Vineyard. It’s great to see consistent quality across our entire range with
our Winemaker’s Collection Central Otago Pinot Noir and Crossroads Winemakers Collection Hawke’s Bay Syrah also picking
up coveted gold medals.”
Of the New Zealand entries, Peter McCombie MW, Co-Chairman of the IWC commented: “The talent of New Zealand’s winemakers
is reflected in today’s results. We have come to expect world-class examples of classic Kiwi styles like Sauvignon Blanc
and Pinot Noir and this year’s results are no exception.”
Last month, Yealands were awarded Most Successful Winery at the 2018 Sydney International Wine Challenge for the second
time in two years, receiving three Trophies, four Top 100/Blue-Gold medals, four Blue-Gold medals and two Gold medals.
Yealands Estate Single Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2017 is available nationwide from most major supermarkets and
independent liquor retailers with a recommended retail price of $22.95. All other wines, except Yealands Estate Single
Block L5 Sauvignon Blanc which is only sold in the U.K., can be purchased online from Yealands Estate Cellar Door at
competitive prices with free delivery on cases of six or more.
ENDS