International accolades flow for Sileni Estates Sauvignon Blanc

Best Sauvignon Blanc at the San Francisco International Wine Competition

Sileni Estates Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc has been recognised as the best in the world at the San Francisco International Wine Competition. The Reserve ‘The Straits’ Sauvignon Blanc 2013 was crowned best Sauvignon Blanc and awarded a double gold medal.

Celebrating its 34th year, the San Francisco International Wine Competition is the largest international wine competition in the United States.

“The Straits Sauvignon Blanc is sourced from our top vineyards in Marlborough, with a variety of soil types, including silt and clay loam. The different characteristics from these sites provide depth and complexity of flavor in our Reserve Sauvignon Blanc,” says Chief Winemaker Grant Edmonds.

This accolade comes on the back of a ‘best in class’ award for the 2013 Cellar Selection Sauvignon Blanc at the recent Los Angeles International Wine Competition.

“We’re thrilled our Sauvignon Blanc has taken out top awards in both major American competitions in the last month. This is testament to the quality across our range of wines and to the hard work of our vineyard and winery teams, both here and in Marlborough,” says CEO and President Graeme Avery. 

The San Francisco International Wine Competition judges also awarded bronze medals to the Cellar Selection Pinot Gris 2013 and the Cellar Selection Pinot Noir 2013.

These awards top off an impressive year for Sileni. In addition to another gold for ‘The Straits’ Sauvignon Blanc 2013, the Hawke’s Bay Reserve ‘The Plateau’ Pinot Noir 2012 was named ‘Best New Zealand Red Wine’ at the recent Korea Wine Challenge. An accolade repeated, when the same Pinot Noir was named ‘best New Zealand wine’ at the 2014 China Wine and Spirits Competition.