Stars Shine Brightly for Gibbston Valley Wines

Press Release

Queenstown 26 April 2004

Stars Shine Brightly in Australia for Gibbston Valley Wines

They say Central Otago is one of the best places in the world to view the stars in the night sky - and Central Otago's stars are now shining brighter than ever across the Tasman. Australia's leading wine magazine Winestate has awarded Gibbston Valley Wines a constellation of stars with no less than seven of its wines being accorded 4 or more stars in the forthcoming July edition.

Three consecutive vintages of the Gibbston Valley Pinot Noir (2001, 2002 and 2003) are each accorded a top ranking 5-stars. Pinot noir is a notoriously fickle grape variety to work with - in its native home of Burgundy, France it is considered fortunate to see three good vintages a decade. Achieving 5-stars three years running clearly demonstrates the capability of this region to produce not just great pinot noir, but under the right vineyard management and winemaker, to do so consistently.

The lighter style Gibbston Valley Gold River Pinot Noir also fares extremely well. This wine spends just six months in French oak (compared with 12 months for its 'bigger brother'). Winestate considered the 2003 vintage an "easy young wine, quite user-friendly already yet has a mission statement and will unfold further over the next year or two. A sound, serious Central Otago wine unfolding.", and scores this wine 4½-stars and also awards 4-stars for the 2001 vintage.

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Stars Shine Brightly (contd)

Two other wines to each score 4 stars are the 2003 Gibbston Valley Riesling and the 2003 Gibbston Valley Blanc de Pinot Noir (a rosé wine made from the pinot noir grape). Rosé wines have been enjoying a steady rise in popularity in New Zealand over the last few years as the public begin to discover the charm and sophistication of this style. Winestate describes this wine as "Fragrant, aromatic and with a sumptuous lift to the fruit. A surprising wine for its vitality and ability to offer ‘something more’".

Seven wines, 31½ stars! - unbelievable!

Gibbston Valley Wines is a boutique producer of the highest quality wines, set in Queenstown's spectacular Gibbston Valley. They are one of the original pioneers of the Central Otago wine region and produced the first commercial vintage for the region in 1987. Today it is NZ's most visited winery. It comprises vineyard, wine cave, restaurant, wine tours, courtyard alfresco dining, wine sales and gift shop. Gibbston Valley Wines has won more awards for Pinot Noir than any other winery in New Zealand, including the trophy at the London International Wine Challenge for the top Pinot Noir/Burgundy in the world.

ENDS

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