News release from Lowburn Ferry Wines

Press Release 25th November 2009: Lowburn Ferry Pinot Noir Double Gold in Sydney Show Lowburn Ferry Pinot Noir 2008 from Central Otago, has won a coveted Top 100 Award in addition to a Blue-Gold at one of the world's most exceptional wine shows. The Sydney International Wine Competition is unique among international wine shows in that the wines are first judged on wine quality before being judged alongside food. Only wines that score high enough to be awarded a Gold Medal in each judging qualify for the unique Blue-Gold (or double Gold) Medal. The 100 wines which score the highest number of aggregate points in both judgings are then given The Top 100 Wine Award. Trophy winners from the Sydney International Wine Competition 2010 will be announced in February.

The boutique Sydney International Wine Competition's main aim, through its website top100wines.com and e-Newsletters is to offer consumers an objective selection of superior wines of varying palate weights, enjoyable immediately, to complement appropriate food. To do this, its international panel of judges select the top twenty percent of a capped 2,000 international entries and arrange them according to palate weight. This permits the Judges to further assess these finalists in a second phase judging, against wines of similar palate weight but more importantly alongside a dish with flavours that these wines are likely to complement. This final test, with appropriate food complexing the judges' palates, is probably unique, amongst the major international wine shows of the world.

Lowburn Ferry co-owner Jean Gibson said the timing of winning Blue Gold in the Sydney competition was perfect as the brand was just beginning to gain profile across the Tasman with distribution in NSW and SA, and plans to expand markets in Victoria and Queensland. The success also coincides with the release of this wine in the NZ market. Previous vintages of Lowburn Ferry Pinot Noir have also received international acclaim, gold medals and five star reviews; and the very first vintage (2003) won Champion Wine of the Show at the NZ Winegrowers Bragato Wine Awards in 2005.

Lowburn Ferry is a family owned vineyard dedicated to the production of high quality Pinot Noir wine. It was established in 2000, nestled on a sheltered north facing terrace in the Lowburn Valley beneath the Pisa Range in Central Otago. "The Vineyard is unusual for Central Otago" says Viticulturist Roger Gibson "in that long term management of the property over more than 100 years has allowed organic matter to build up in the soils, complementing the natural supply of nutrients derived from schist parent material. The resulting healthy soils have excellent biological activity which enhances the terroir of the site."

Jean and Roger Gibson enjoy a hands-on approach to managing the vineyard which is both practical and scientific. Roger is a specialist in soils and plant science (Master of Applied Science, first class honours) and has worked in research and education; Jean holds a degree in Horticultural Science from Massey University.

ENDS

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