The results of the 2016 Gisborne Regional Wine Awards were announced yesterday night. The Supreme Wine of Show Trophy went to the Villa Maria ‘Private Bin’ Gisborne Viognier 2015. This is the first time a Viognier has taken the top award. Chardonnay has been the champion variety at each year’ show, since the Gisborne Regional Wine Awards was established in 2011. Villa Maria also continues its run of winning the supreme award at this competition, except for last year when a Corbans Chardonnay took the prize.
This year, there were 4 (4.3%) gold medals awarded, 12 (12.9%) silvers and 39 (41.94%) bronzes. The judges were: Simon Nunns (Chair), Jane de Witt, Simon Fell, James Rowan, Emma Jenkins and Jo Gear. For more information go to: www.gisbornewine.co.nz/regionalwineawards
The Major Awards
Supreme Wine of Show: Villa Maria Private Bin Gisborne Viognier 2015
Highest Awarded Wine Company: Villa Maria
Best Value Wine Under $15: Benson Block Chardonnay 2014
Best Label: Matawhero Church House Barrel Fermented Chardonnay 2015
Bill Irwin Trophy: Doug Bell
Lead Viticulturist Trophy: Tony Green
Outstanding Contribution to the Gisborne Industry: Riversun
Gisborne’s Top Cellar Door: Bridge Estate Cellar Door
Overall Top White: Villa Maria Private Bin Gisborne Viognier 2015
Overall Top Red: Gisborne Garagiste Wine Company St Laurent 2014
Overall Gisborne Selection: Te Hana Rose NV, Benson Block Chardonnay 2014, TW Gold Chardonnay 2015, Huntaway Reserve Gewürztraminer 2013, Bushmere Estate Chardonnay 2015, Villa Maria Cellar Selection Albarino 2015
Highest Awarded Wine Company: Villa Maria
Best Value Wine Under $15: Benson Block Chardonnay 2014
Best Label: Matawhero Church House Barrel Fermented Chardonnay 2015
Bill Irwin Trophy: Doug Bell
Lead Viticulturist Trophy: Tony Green
Outstanding Contribution to the Gisborne Industry: Riversun
Gisborne’s Top Cellar Door: Bridge Estate Cellar Door
Overall Top White: Villa Maria Private Bin Gisborne Viognier 2015
Overall Top Red: Gisborne Garagiste Wine Company St Laurent 2014
Overall Gisborne Selection: Te Hana Rose NV, Benson Block Chardonnay 2014, TW Gold Chardonnay 2015, Huntaway Reserve Gewürztraminer 2013, Bushmere Estate Chardonnay 2015, Villa Maria Cellar Selection Albarino 2015
Class Category — Sparkling: Te Hana Rose NV
Rose: Soljans Estate Two Daughter Rose 2015
Unoaked chardonnay: TW Estate Chardonnay 2015
Merlot and Blends: No award
Viognier: Villa Maria Private Bin Gisborne Viognier 2015
Pinot Gris: Black Valley Pinot Gris 2015
Malbec and blends: No award
Other Whites: Left Field Gisborne Albarino 2015
Chardonnay: Villa Maria Reserve Barrique Fermented Gisborne Chardonnay 2014
Red and Other Blends: Gisborne Garagiste St Laurent 2014
Gewurztraminer: Huntaway Reserve Gewurztraminer 2013
Dessert and fortified wines: Wrights Vineyard and Winery Semillon 2015
Rose: Soljans Estate Two Daughter Rose 2015
Unoaked chardonnay: TW Estate Chardonnay 2015
Merlot and Blends: No award
Viognier: Villa Maria Private Bin Gisborne Viognier 2015
Pinot Gris: Black Valley Pinot Gris 2015
Malbec and blends: No award
Other Whites: Left Field Gisborne Albarino 2015
Chardonnay: Villa Maria Reserve Barrique Fermented Gisborne Chardonnay 2014
Red and Other Blends: Gisborne Garagiste St Laurent 2014
Gewurztraminer: Huntaway Reserve Gewurztraminer 2013
Dessert and fortified wines: Wrights Vineyard and Winery Semillon 2015
The Medal Winners
Gold
Villa Maria Reserve Barrique Fermented Gisborne Chardonnay 2015
Villa Maria Reserve Barrique Fermented Gisborne Chardonnay 2014
Villa Maria Private Bin Gisborne Viognier 2015
Matawhero Church House Barrel Fermented Chardonnay 2015
Silver
Wrights Semillon 2015
Waimata Cognoscenti Chardonnay 2015
Villa Maria Cellar Selection Gisborne Albarino 2015
Left Field Gisborne Albarino 2015
TW Gold Chardonnay 2015
Soljans Two Daughter Rosé 2015
Soljans Fusion Sparkling Muscat NV
Lion Benson Block Chardonnay 2014
Lion Huntaway Reserve Gewurztraminer 2013
Lion Te Hana Rosé NV
Lion Te Hana Reserve Brut NV
Bushmere Estate Chardonnay 2015
Bronze
Wrights Natural Gewurztraminer 2015
Waimata Cognoscenti Syrah 2014
Thornbury Gisborne Chardonnay 2015
Villa Maria Cellar Selection Gisborne Chardonnay 2015
Villa Maria Cellar Selection Gisborne Viognier 2015
TW Chardonnay 2015
The Family Company Chardonnay 2015
The Family Company Syrah 2014
The Family Company Cosmos NV
Spade Oak ‘Vigneron’ Chardonnay 2015
Spade Oak Prospect Chardonnay 2014
Spade Oak Voysey Chardonnay 2014
NZ Wine Cellars Zenith Chardonnay 2015
NZ Wine Cellars Paradox Gewurztraminer 2015
NZ Wine Cellars Black Valley Pinot Gris 2015
NZ Wine Cellars Paradox Chardonnay NV
NZ Wine Cellars Zenith Chardonnay NV
NZ Wine Cellars Paradox Viognier 2015
Matawhero Church House Chenin Blanc 2015
Matawhero Chardonnay 2015
Lion Huntaway Reserve Chardonnay 2013
Lion Corbans Cottage Block Chardonnay 2013
Lion Corbans 1902 Chardonnay 2013
Lion Benson Black Pinot Gris 2014
Lion Corbans 1902 Pinot Gris 2014
Lion Huntaway Reserve Pinot Gris 2013
Lion Lindauer Classic Moscato Rosé NV
Lion Lindauer Classic Summer NV
Lion Lindauer Special Reserve Blanc de Blanc NV
Gisborne Garagiste Gewurztraminer 2015
Gisborne Garagiste St Laurent 2014
Gisborne Garagiste Viognier 2013
Coopers Creek SV Allison Marsanne 2015
Coopers Creek SV Bell Ringer Albarino 2015
Coopers Creek SV The Little Rascal Arneis 2015
Coopers Creek SV Allison Marsanne 2014
Coopers Creek SV Cook County Viognier 2015
Ashwood Estate Chardonnay 2014
Ashwood Estate Chardonnay 2013
