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Kennedy Point Waiheke Syrah 2007 wins the International Syrah Trophy at the prestigious 2009 International Wine Challenge in London

Tuesday 28 July 2009, 8:51AM

By Kennedy Point Vineyard

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Kennedy Point Waiheke
Kennedy Point Waiheke Credit: Kennedy Point Vineyard
Kennedy Point Waiheke
Kennedy Point Waiheke Credit: Kennedy Point

AUCKLAND

Kennedy Point Waiheke Syrah 2007 also won New Zealand Red Wine Trophy, New Zealand Syrah Trophy, Auckland Syrah Trophy at the 2009 International Wine Challenge.

Kennedy Point on Waiheke Island is owned by Neal Kunimura and Susan McCarthy, who planted the vineyard in 1996. “The international Wine Challenge is considered the most prestigious independent assessment and the judging process is very thorough and stringent. It is the highest recognition for the Kennedy Point Waiheke Syrah 2007,” says Susan McCarthy.

The Kennedy Point Waiheke Syrah 2007 has been gaining a significant reputation. “We knew we had something very special as wine experts and wine writers tasted our wines. We received high recognition recently in the USA and almost immediately sold out all of our US allotment,” says Susan McCarthy.

From the outset setting up Kennedy Point Vineyard owner Neal Kunimura has overseen every small innovation and says they were always determined to produce fine wines. “It’s been a gradual process focussing on how to achieve the very best wines from the site, the terroir matched with thorough attention in the vineyard and wine production.”

“Our vineyard is hand-worked and the grapes hand- harvested to capture intensive naturally sun-ripened flavours,” says Neal Kunimura.

Neal is assisted by Waiheke-based wine maker Herb Freidl, who studied Chemistry in Switzerland and then Oenology at Roseworthy University in Australia. Herb Freidl places emphasis on the vineyard and believes that a healthy vineyard allows him to craft wines with little intervention that best capture the essence of the land. He works with Neal Kunimura to achieve the right balance of crop level and looks for a small yield of ripe fruit at harvest. “While having viticulture and winemaking expertise is important it is by no means the most important ingredient in producing fine wine. What is essential is an appreciation for the subtle nuances that occur in the creation of fine wine,” says Herb Freidl.

For New Zealanders the advantage is that Kennedy Point Waiheke Syrah 2007 is available here and able to be purchased online from the winery. Neal Kunimura says the Syrah is wonderful to drink now, if decanted, or it can be cellared for another 6 to 10 years.

The Waiheke wine region is becoming well known for outstanding red wines. Kennedy Point Waiheke Syrah is grown on all four coastal site vineyards under the Kennedy Point Label. “We have made the most of the terroir, with vines set to capture Waiheke’s high sunshine hours and warm maritime climate to trap the intensity of flavour.’

Susan and Neal say “Winning the IWC trophies and also the Trophy for the best International Syrah and best New Zealand red wine is the fulfilment of years of hard work perfecting our vineyard and wine making process.”

International Wine Challenge 2009 Awards:

Kennedy Point Waiheke Syrah 2007 wins International Syrah Trophy, New Zealand Red Trophy, New Zealand Syrah Trophy, Auckland Syrah Trophy at the prestigious London International Wine Challenge.

This prestigious wine trophy recognises Kennedy Point Syrah as the best International Syrah & New Zealand Syrah & red wine. Judged by the most stringent wine competition by more than 370 of the world’s best winemakers, merchants and wine writers.

The world’s most prestigious independent wine competition is the International Wine Challenge (IWC). This year there were 9,500 entries with wineries from all over the world sending more then 40,000 bottles of wine. New Zealand’s leading wineries sent 362 entries to the 2009 wine challenge competition.

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Kennedy Point Vineyard
Kennedy Point cellar door open every day throughout the year. 11AM to 3PM Wines can be purchased at the vineyard and online.
www.kennedypointvineyard.com