Prestigious Awards Reflect Heritage for Johanneshof Cellars

PRESS RELEASE: September 30th 2013

Prestigious Awards Reflect Heritage for Johanneshof Cellars

Another two Gold Medals and a Trophy for Johanneshof Cellars at the recent New Zealand International Wine Show held over the weekend, reinforces the opinion that this Boutique Winery is on a record breaking streak. Just six weeks ago Wine Makers Edel Everling and Warwick Foley were on the winners podium at the 2013 Spiegelau International Wine Competition, accepting four medals and 3 trophies, including joint ‘Champion Producer of the Show’.  This time the Johanneshof Cellars 2011 Noble Late Harvest Riesling and the 2012 Marlborough Gewürztraminer received Gold Medal honours with the Gewürztraminer being awarded overall Trophy.

How does this unique winery, nestled in a tiny valley on the outskirts of the seaport town of Picton on New Zealand’s South Island, continually have the spotlight shined on them?

“Heritage”, says winemaker Edel, “Those two distinct German varieties have a strong link to my own German heritage. Warwick and I trained and worked in well known wineries in the small Rheingau wine area where I come from. This area produces Germany's most prized botrytised Riesling wines, from Spaetlese to Trockenbeerenauslese and together with Canada is "the" number one area in the world for true Eiswine (Icewine) produced by leaving the grapes to freeze on the vines at -10 degrees Celsius”.
Growing up in a little winery in the Rheingau region, Edel was surrounded by all things wine. From vine to barrel it is a family tradition and a heritage of passion to produce outstanding wines. Completing a degree in Viticulture and Oenology at the world renowned wine university at Geisenheim and working for the Geisenheim Wine Research Centre, prepared budding wine maker Edel in the art of traditional winemaking. A craft she brought with her to New Zealand to establish Johanneshof Cellars with co-wine maker Warwick Foley. Warwick also spent time as a guest student at Geisenheim and upon graduation refined his craft working for several years in renowned wineries across the Rheingau region. Together they have established a reputation as a world renowned boutique wine producer with a formidable trophy cabinet.

“Aromatic varieties like Riesling, Gewürztraminer and Pinot Gris have always been our passion” says Warwick, “These recent accolades are a real thrill for us and proves our traditional methods are producing top quality wines across the aromatic range. Even though we only produce one cuvée of each variety in that vintage which makes up our entire production”.

Impressive proof of their heritage and dedication to tradition is reflected in their most recent awards;

2013 New Zealand International Wine Awards 
·          Trophy & Gold: Champion Gewürztraminer of the Show; 2012 Johanneshof Cellars Marlborough Gewürztraminer
·          Gold: 2011 Noble Late Harvest Riesling
2013 Spiegelau International Wine Competition
·          Trophy ‘Champion Producer of the Show’ (jointly with St. Clair Family Estate & Villa Maria Estate)
·          Trophy & Gold: Champion Pinot Gris of the Show; 2012 Johanneshof Cellars Marlborough Pinot Gris
·          Trophy & Gold: Champion Gewürztraminer of the Show; 2012 Johanneshof Cellars Marlborough Gewürztraminer
·          Bronze: 2011 Noble Late Harvest Riesling
·          Bronze: 2007 Johanneshof Cellars Blanc de Blancs Methode Traditionnelle Brut

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