The Villa Maria Reserve Gisborne Chardonnay 2007, grown by Tony Green of McDiarmid Vineyard, took home the prestigious Bragato Trophy, along with the Bill Irwin Trophy and Champion Chardonnay.

The 14 champion awards announced at the recent awards were spread across the wine-growing regions of Wairarapa, Marlborough, Gisborne, Central Otago and Hawke’s Bay.

Chairman of judges Larry McKenna said the Villa Maria Reserve Gisborne Chardonnay 2007 had impressed the entire judging panel with its stylistic approach.

“This is a fantastic example of  a modern New Zealand chardonnay with both complexity and depth – truly deserving of the Champion Wine of Show title,” Mr McKenna said.

The other top award - the Richard Smart Trophy and Reserve Champion Wine was claimed by Evan and Kay Moore of Aravin Vineyard in Central Otago, for their Aravin Pinot Noir 2007, which was also awarded the Mike Wolter Memorial Trophy and Champion Pinot Noir.

Mr McKenna said another highlight was the Villa Maria Single Vineyard Omahu Gravels Viognier 2008, which was named Champion Other White Wine.

“It’s fantastic to see an emerging wine like viognier performing at a top level.  New Zealand viognier has a great future ahead of it due to the depth of character featured in the wines our winemakers are producing.”

New Zealand Winegrowers chief executive Philip Gregan said the Bragato Wine Awards are a unique opportunity for the industry to recognise New Zealand’s grapegrowers, who play a critical role in the producing New Zealand’s world-renowned wines.

“The Bragato Awards are New Zealand’s only awards for the grapegrower, a group that play a critical role in the New Zealand wine industry.  Once again we’ve been extremely impressed with the quality of wines entered.”

The new Sustainability Trophy was awarded to Mark Dixon for the Villa Maria Single Vineyard Keltern Chardonnay 2007.

Champion Wine of Show and Bragato Trophy winner:
Villa Maria Reserve Gisborne Chardonnay 2007, McDiarmid Vineyard – Gisborne, Tony Green

Richard Smart Trophy and Reserve Champion Wine:
Aravin Pinot Noir 2007, Aravin – Central Otago, Evan and Kay Moore

Champion Dessert Wine Plaque: 
Haythornthwaite Gewurztraminer Susan 2009:
Haythornthwaite Wines – Martinborough, Mark Haythornthwaite

 
Friedrich Wohnsiedler Trophy and Champion Riesling:
Vic Williams Selection Classic Riesling 2008, Korohi Vineyard – Marlborough, Willie and Linda Crosse

Champion Gerwurztraminer
Saint Clair Pioneer Block 12 Lone Gum Gewurztraminer 2008,Lone Gum Vineyard – Marlborough, Chris and Judi Simmonds

 
Brother Cyprian Trophy and Champion Pinot Gris:
Ohau Gravels Pinot Gris 2009, Ohau Gravels – Wairarapa, Dave Munro

New Zealand Wine Cellars Spence Brothers Trophy and Champion Sauvignon Blanc:
Saint Clair Pioneer Block 18 Snap Block Sauvignon Blanc 2009, Park Orchard Vineyards Ltd – Marlborough, John and Cayley Blackmore

Bill Irwin Trophy and Champion Chardonnay: 
Villa Maria Reserve Gisborne Chardonnay 2007, McDiarmid Vineyard – Gisborne, Tony Green

Mike Wolter Memorial Trophy and Champion Pinot Noir:
Aravin Pinot Noir 2007, Aravin – Central Otago, Evan and Kay Moore

Champion other white wine:
Villa Maria Single Vineyard Omahu Gravels Viognier 2008, Omahu Vineyard – Hawke’s Bay, Phil Holden

Tom McDonald Memorial Trophy and Champion Classical Red Wine:
Sacred Hill Helmsman Cabernet Merlot 2007, Deerstalkers Vineyard – Hawke’s Bay, Mike Connor

Alan Limmer Trophy and Champion Syrah:
Esk Valley Reserve Syrah 2007, Newton Forrest Vineyard – Hawke’s Bay, Bob Newton

 
Champion Other Red Wine:
Craggy Range ‘Te Kahu’ 2007, Gimblett Gravels Vineyard – Hawke’s Bay, Michael Goldwater

Sustainability Trophy: 
Villa Maria Single Vineyard Keltern Chardonnay 2007, Keltern Vineyard – Hawke’s Bay, Mark Dixon