Record entries for Hawke’s Bay Wine Awards

Thursday 30th September 2004

Record entries for Hawke’s Bay Wine Awards

Entries for the fourth annual Hawke’s Bay A&P Mercedes Benz Wine Awards closed late last week with a record number of 297 entries from 44 wineries around the country.

Craggy Range wine and viticulture director and the award’s chairman of judges, Steve Smith MW, who will lead an international panel of 9 judges on 11/12 October, says as expected the majority of entries come from Hawke’s Bay-based wineries, but the competition also attracted entrants from other parts of the country who produce wines with at least 85% Hawke’s Bay fruit.

“It has been great to see a high level of entries coming in from wineries across New Zealand but predominantly Hawke’s Bay, especially considering there was substantial frost damage to the 2003 reds and chardonnays. The future of the Awards is looking bright, as each year entry levels continue to grow and reach new records”.

Mr Smith will lead a top line up of judges, including international judge Nicholas Bulleid M.W, M.Sc, B.Sc. (Hons) one of Australia’s most respected wine judges – New South Wales Wine Awards Chairman of Judges 2001 -2003 and life member of the Wine Press Club of New South Wales.

National judges include, wine writers Bob Campbell M.W and Peter Saunders, wine writer and consultant Geoff Kelly, along with winemakers Kate Radburnd (CJ Pask), John Hancock (Trinity Hill), and Corey Ryan Villa Maria Senior Winemaker. Judging will take place at the Eastern Institute of Technology’s state-of-the-art sensory lab.

Meanwhile, tickets are selling fast for the cocktail event on 19 October at Waikoko Gardens. John Hawkesby has been confirmed as the Master of Ceremonies announcing the winning wines which will include the announcement of the trophy winners, along with the top prize, the Champion of Champions Wine and Winemaker who will win an original David Trubridge commissioned trophy piece sponsored by Mercedes-Benz / Wellington Star and the Hawke’s Bay A & P Society.

Tickets for the event can be purchased from the office of the Hawke’s Bay A&P Society.

ENDS

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