New Zealand Organic Wine Awards 2016 Medal Winners

The judging for the awards was carried out over three varietal-based tastings in May, these being Sauvignon Blanc, Aromatics, and Pinot Noir and Other Reds. The judges are a team based on “local experts” including chefs, organic specialists, wine retailers and a winemaker, who are all independent of the exhibitors.

For 2016, there were 123 wines entered from 28 vineyards, this continuing the growth over the first two years of the competition. There were 17 (13.8%) gold medals awarded, with 16 (13.0% silver and 8.1% bronze medals, making a total of 34% of the wines entered winning a medal. Compared to other shows, the gold count is a little high, and the bronze count is quite low. This probably reflects the very high quality of the entries at the top end, and many wines entered that ma not be commercially viable. It is accepted that the initial years of organic conversion can be challenging, and this may result in lesser wines at the start. Luke noted that there were a number of ‘skin contact’ wines which may have looked out of their varietal classes, possibly affecting the results.

As expected, Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir made up nearly half the entries, with high numbers of Riesling, Gewurztraminer and Pinot Gris. Another observation was the increasing number of oak-input wines, some with varieties not usually associated with wood. www.organicwineawards.co.nz

Following are the top awards and medal winners from the 2016 New Zealand Organic Wine Awards. Click here for Luke Thomas, the curator’s press release with more detail. The top awards are the ‘Wine of the Show’ for the best wine, the ‘Sustainable Vineyard of the Year’ in recognition of an exceptional vineyard, and ‘Vineyard of the Year’ for the best exhibitor.

NZ Organic Wine Awards Wine of Show: Terrace Edge 2014 Liquid Geography Riesling

NZ Organic Wine Awards Sustainable Vineyard of the Year: Loveblock

NZ Organic Wine Awards Vineyard of the Year: Greystone

Greystone 2015 Riesling
Black Estate 2015 Damsteep Riesling
Terrace Edge 2014 Liquid Geography Riesling
Urlar 2015 Noble Riesling
Greystone 2015 Gewurztraminer
Greystone 2015 Pinot Gris
Quartz Reef 2014 Pinot Gris
The Darling 2013 Chardonnay
The Darling 2015 Sauvignon Blanc
Villa Maria 2015 Single Vineyard Templar Organic Sauvignon Blanc
Kaimira Estate 2015 Sauvignon Blanc
Black Estate 2015 Netherwood Rose
Richmond Plains 2015 Blanc de Noir
Hans Hertzog Estate 2012 Tempranillo
Muddy Water 2014 Pinot Noir
Villa Maria 2013 Single Vineyard The Attorney Organic Pinot Noir
Babich Family Estates 2014 Headwaters Organic Pinot Noir

Urlar 2014 Riesling
Greenhough Hope Vineyard 2013 Riesling
Loveblock 2014 Gewürztraminer
Huia 2015 Gewürztraminer
Odyssey 2015 Pinot Gris
Greystone 2015 Sand Dollar Pinot Gris
Hans Herzog 2015 Estate Pinot Gris
Black Estate 2015 Home Chardonnay
Huia Chardonnay 2014
Supernatural Wine Co. 2014 Green Glow (Skin Fermented Sauvignon Blanc)
Greenhough 2015 Hope Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc
Yealands Estate 2015 Single Block M2 Organic Sauvignon Blanc
Quartz Reef NV Methode Traditionelle Brut
Richmond Plains 2014 Pinot Noir
Te Mania 2013 Reserve Pinot Noir
Soderberg 2014 Home Block, Single Vineyard Pinot Noir

Kaimira Estate 2015 Riesling ITI Selection
Kaimira Estate 2015 Gewürztraminer
Huia 2013 Pinot Gris
Babich Family Estates 2015 Headwaters Organic Chardonnay
Sunset Valley Vineyard 2015 Chardonnay Reserve
Walnut Block 2015 Nutcracker Sauvignon Blanc
Loveblock 2014 Sauvignon Blanc
Te Mania 2014 Reserve Pinot Noir
The Darling 2013 Pinot Noir
Seresin Estate 2014 Pinot Noir