Renowned NZ grape grower Willie Crosse strikes Gold again

Renowned NZ grape grower Willie Crosse strikes Gold again and wins Champion Riesling Trophy

New Zealand Wine Society has been privileged to make wines from Willie Crosse’s pristine fruit since the 2001 vintage when his Riesling won a Gold medal. Eleven vintages on, the magic is stronger than ever.

At the 2013 Easter Show Wine Awards Willie and New Zealand Wine Society did it again, collecting not only another Gold medal but also a Trophy for best riesling at the show, with the Crosse Vineyard Marlborough Riesling 2012 taking out the Red Badge Security Champion Riesling Trophy. The country’s oldest wine competition celebrated its Diamond Jubilee at the Awards Dinner on Saturday March 16, when the Show’s Trophy winners were announced.

Willie is thrilled and says, ‘Jo Gear [the winemaker] is shaping quite a record with our riesling. 2012 was a good year on the vineyard, thanks to a very cool summer and a long dry finish through autumn which brought out the flavours and kept the grapes clean. It was a challenging start, but perfect in the end.’

Willie’s vineyard is set in prime Rapaura grape-growing country in the heart of Marlborough. Over the years he’s gained an enviable reputation for the quality of his fruit and has become one of the region’s most sought-after suppliers. Willie’s client list includes the likes of Pernod Ricard, Nautilus, Hunter’s and John Forrest, and indicates how well regarded his is in the local industry.

New Zealand Wine Society’s customers were first introduced to the Crosse Vineyard in 2001 under the Family Block label. The following year the stand-alone single-vineyard 2002 Crosse Vineyard Riesling was produced and it immediately won a Silver medal at the Hobart Wine Show. The Easter Show win brings his medal tally for New Zealand Wine Society wines to 110.

As well as the Crosse Vineyard Marlborough Riesling 2012’s Gold and Trophy, NZ Wine Society collected a further 11 medals at the 2013 Easter Show Wine Awards.

The Crosse Vineyard Marlborough Riesling 2012 is available in limited quantities for $21.99 a bottle from the New Zealand Wine Society via their online store at www.nzwinesociety.co.nz or by phoning 0800 80 9463.

ENDS

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