Black Estate Pinot Noir presented with International award

Waipara winery Black Estate was presented with the international trophy for best Pinot Noir at the awards’ function of the prestigious International Wine and Spirit Competition (IWSC) in London this week. 

 

Black Estate Pinot Noir 2007 won Gold, Best in Class and after further rigorous judging by the IWSC's chair judges, the international Bouchard Finlayson trophy for best Pinot Noir.

 

Black Estate, winemaker Nicholas Brown who was presented with the awards at the historic Guildhall, says that the response to the success of a New Zealand wine was “amazing”. 

 

“A lot more people in Britain know more about Waipara Pinot Noir than they did a month ago,” Nicholas says.

 

“It was an experience and opportunity not to be missed given the success of our Pinot Noir against the very best in the world. We were up against so many incredible producers and receiving the trophy  was very humbling.  It culminated a wonderful week of introducing our wine to the British market.”

 

Brown says the award says so much about the family’s vineyard and its wine. “It shows that Waipara is capable of producing world class Pinot Noir. ” he says.

 

The IWSC judges described the wine as “Concentrated and powerful, packed with squashed strawberries and wild berries. Silky supple tannins underpin a beautiful structure of generous fruit and finish of endless length.”

 

Black Estate, which is owned by the Naish family, is located in the north Canterbury wine growing region of Waipara. It is sited on limestone clay soils with subtle elevation which is perfect for growing the vines which produce world class Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. At present 12 hectares of the 16-hectare property are planted in grapes and the remaining four hectares will be planted next year. The Naish family is currently converting to organics and biodynamics.  

 

History of Black Estate

Planted in 1994 by founder Russell Black, the vineyard rests on the gentle slopes of Omihi, Waipara. The Naish family’s background in horticulture and Nicholas’ passion for matching right soils to the right grape variety led to the purchase of Black Estate in 2007.

 

Nicholas Brown was winemaker at Daniel Schuster Wines between 2006 and 2009 and has spent vintages at internationally renowned vineyards Isole e Olena (Chianti), Opus One (Napa), Soter Vineyards (Oregon) and Wither Hills (Marlborough). He works closely with marketing manager and partner Penelope Naish and his brother-in law Alistair Blair, who manages the vineyard.

 

The international Wine and Spirit Competition

The International Wine and Spirit Competition (IWSC) is one of the largest and most respected wine competitions in the world. It aims is to promote the quality and excellence of the world's best wines, spirits and liqueurs. The IWSC's judging panels contain a high number of MWs and predominantly UK based judges, but with an international element as well.

 

Find out more about Black Estate wines at www.blackestate.co.nz.