Palliser Estate leads NZ wines export award

Palliser Estate leads NZ wines with top export award

Martinborough’s ultra-premium wine label Palliser Estate has joined the country’s top echelon of New Zealand wineries by winning the NZ Trade and Enterprise’s export award in Auckland. Palliser Estate Wines walked away with the top food and beverage award at the New Zealand Trade and Enterprise’s annual export awards’ gala function on Friday night. Managing director Richard Riddiford said the great result was a significant stepping stone in Palliser’s history. ``We have achieved this special success through our policy of aiming at the top end of the market overseas and a strict environmental standard,’’ he said.

Eighty percent of Palliser Estate wine is sold worldwide to top end restaurants, boutique wine outlets and independent retailers.

``This award is momentous for us as we have always sought to have a quality point of difference. Environmentally we are a recognised leader being the first winery in the world to achieve strict environmental standards,’’ Riddiford said.

``We are committed to zero waste. We report a triple bottom line and all our sponsorship goes to the local Martinborough School where we have set up a trust and are lead sponsor.’’

From a village of 1200 people it’s just great that we make a world class product and it’s then served in some of the finest restaurants globally.

``I get a real buzz walking into Veritas or Montrachet in New York and seeing our wine on the list. We believe our environmental policy fits with New Zealand’s 100 percent pure campaign and clean green image internationally.’’ Palliser Estate has one of the finest track records winning 62 gold medals and international trophies in the last 10 years. ``The Palliser Estate label has been tasted by royalty, the rich and the famous.’’ Palliser Estate started exporting in 1991 and now sells in 18 countries to a top end niche-market. Striving to be the best in their field, Palliser Estate were the first New Zealand winery to achieve ISO 9002 quality standard and the first in the world to achieve ISO 14001 environmental accreditation. Tonight’s award is a tribute to the outstanding product made by chief winemaker/viticulturist Allan Johnson and winemaker/environmental officer Sharon Goldsworthy, and vineyard managers Di Beattie and Ashton Tannant and to office staff Carla Burns and Lesley Just.

Palliser Estate Wines of Martinborough Ltd is a public unlisted company on the secondary board.

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