Top accolades for Riflemans Chardonnay

Sacred Hill winery has scooped a Gold Medal for its 2006 Riflemans Chardonnay at this year’s 55th Royal Easter Show Wine Awards.

The medals for New Zealand’s oldest wine competition were judged in Auckland on 23rd and 24th February by long serving chairman of judges Bob Campbell, and prominent Australian wine judge Mike DeGaris.

The Riflemans Chardonnay has already gained numerous trophies and gold medals since its release and is regarded as one of New Zealand’s top chardonnays.


“It’s great to see this vintage continue to be held in such esteem and pedigree by wine judges,” says Tony Bish, Senior Winemaker Sacred Hill.


“This is a unique wine in that it is a single vineyard wine produced from 19 year old Mendoza Chardonnay vines. These naturally low yielding vines produce an intense distinctive chardonnay that speaks of its origin.”


Bish says 2006 had almost perfect growing and ripening conditions during the autumn months to provide optimum ripeness.


Riflemans Chardonnay comes from the Sacred Hill Special Selection range which represents the pinnacle of the wineries winemaking craft.


Sacred Hill also received two silver medals for its Marlborough Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc 2007 and Basket Press Merlot Cabernet 2006.

“It’s fantastic to create wines that not only stand out as some of the best produced locally, but are also commercially priced,” says Bish.

Overall the Sacred Hill Wine Group was awarded gold, three silver and eleven bronze medals.


“These medals continue to confirm the vineyard’s reputation of a quality approach to viticulture and winemaking,” says Bish.


Trophies associated with the 55th Royal Easter Show Wine Awards will be announced at a special Awards dinner to be held on 8th March in Auckland.

www.sacredhill.co.nz  


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Background:

Previous awards and accolades for Rifleman Chardonnay


Trophy - O-I New Zealand Champion Chardonnay Trophy Air New Zealand Wine Awards 2007


Trophy - New Zealand Wine Society Royal Easter Wine Show 2004

Trophy - New Zealand Wine Society Royal Easter Wine Show 2004

Trophy - New Zealand Wine Society Royal Easter Wine Show 2004


Gold Medal - Air New Zealand Wine Awards 2007

Gold Medal - Royal Easter Show Wine Awards 2007

Gold Medal - Royal Easter Show Wine Awards 2006

Gold Medal - Liquorland Top 100 2006

Gold Medal - Hawke's Bay A&P Mercedes-Benz Wine Awards 2005

Gold Medal - Air New Zealand Wine Awards 2004

Gold Medal - New Zealand Wine Society Royal Easter Wine Show 2003

Gold Medal - Air New Zealand Wine Awards 2003

Gold Medal - Liquorland Top100 2002

Gold Medal - New Zealand Wine Society Royal Easter Wine Show 2001

Gold Medal - New Zealand Wine Society Royal Easter Wine Show 1999

Gold Medal - Air New Zealand Wine Awards 1998

Gold Medal - Air New Zealand Wine Awards 1997

Gold Medal - Liquorland Top100 1996