Mondillo scoops awards at prestigious wine show

Mondillo Vineyard in Bendigo, Central Otago has scooped all the top prizes for its 2008 Pinot Noir in the country’s oldest, most respected wine competition. The run of accolades began earlier this month when the wine was awarded a gold medal in the Royal Easter Show Wine Awards 2010.

Last night (Saturday, March 20) at the Royal Easter Show Wine Awards 2010 gala dinner, after picking up the Trophy for Champion Pinot Noir, the tiny Bendigo vineyard swept aside 1517 wines from around the country as its 2008 Mondillo Central Otago Pinot Noir was named Champion Wine of Show.

Mondillo Vineyards owners Domenic and Ally Mondillo were at the glittering black tie event hosted by Vic Williams at Auckland’s ASB showgrounds to collect their trophies.

“Things just got better and more exciting as the evening progressed,” said Domenic. “Firstly the gold medal, then receiving the trophy for Champion Pinot Noir was pretty awesome. But to receive the ultimate accolade as Champion Wine of Show was extraordinarily flattering.

“It is amazing for us to be recognised by the industry. Mondillo wine is a true reflection of the hard work of our passionate vineyard crew and the team at Quartz Reef winery. To go into the 2010 harvest with these awards and trophies on the mantelpiece is just fantastic.”

While Mondillo Vineyards is a small and relatively new vineyard, Domenic Mondillo is no ‘new kid on the block’. A viticulturist and veteran of 29 vintages who has grown wine in Central Otago for the past 18 years, he and wife and business partner Ally Mondillo established Mondillo Vineyards on three sunny terraces at Bendigo in 2001.

 The vineyard has produced six vintages, the first in 2004, each picking up awards and delivering a loyal global following.

The Mondillos believe site selection is critical to great wine and that their ‘extremely special’ 12 hectares in Bendigo combine with minimal human intervention to create beautiful wines. The 2009 vintage is due for release in June 2010.

“Great wine is grown in the vineyard and then made with minimal intervention,” said Domenic. “Mondillo is about growing fantastic grapes in a way that is sustainable on all levels, especially environmentally. The vines will outlive us all. It’s very important to me to maintain the vines in a sustainable way.”

Next on the agenda for Mondillo Vineyards is the 2010 harvest, which Domenic said is shaping up nicely.

“It’s been a hot and dry summer in Bendigo. The fruit is in great shape and tastes fantastic and we’re gearing up to start our harvest just after Easter.”

The multi trophy winning champion wine is currently being served on Air New Zealand international flights to business class passengers, is sold in top restaurants around Queenstown and in the USA including The French Laundry, and is served at some of the country’s best events by Ruth Pretty Catering.

The wine is made at Quartz Reef in Cromwell. Quartz Reef is headed by Rudi Bauer who was awarded the coveted title of Winemaker of the Year at the same event.

About the 2008 Mondillo Central Otago Pinot Noir

A graceful, silky, single-vineyard wine which is dark in colour, elegant and balanced. It is dense and rich with beautifully scented aromas of dark-cherry and plum up front, followed by vanilla and spice. The palate is bold and velvety with a creamy textured finish.


About The Royal Easter Show Wine Awards
The Royal Easter Show Wine Awards is New Zealand’s longest running wine judging competition. 2010 is its 57th year of judging. The Awards is an incorporated nonprofit association, and the proceeds from The Awards Dinner are to cover costs only and promote New Zealand’s best wines. As part of the competition, five judging panels judged 1517 wines from 276 wineries. 102 wines were awarded gold medals, 222 silver and 551 bronze. A trophy was awarded to the Champion Wine of each of 14 varieties. The Chair of Judges was Kate Radburnd, Director Terry Dunleavy MBE.

Winning wines may display the Royal Easter Show Award sticker for easy consumer identification.
The 2010 Awards dinner is best described as “A Fine Feast for the Senses” each guest will sample the 14 Trophy wines, matched to a memorable degustation menu created by Michelin Star, UK trained, chef Simon Sheehan (one of the faces of the first Master Chef New Zealand) scheduled to start on TV Two in February.

About Mondillo Vineyards
Mondillo Vineyards was established in 2001 on 12 hectares of land at Bendigo, in New Zealand’s Central Otago region.

Domenic Mondillo moved to Queenstown in 1981, purchasing and operating two successful Queenstown restaurants before becoming instrumental in developing a number of vineyards in Central Otago over the past 17 years. He is an accredited member and one of Central Otago’s founding members of SWNZ – Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand, and ensures every step is taken to employ environmentally responsible processes in the vineyard and winery.
His life and passion is and has always been wine, and he is consultant to vineyards in both Central Otago and in Oregon USA.

Ally Mondillo is Domenic’s partner in Mondillo Vineyards. Dunedin born and raised, Ally attended Columba College before studying art at the Otago University School of Art. Following a career in graphic design she now works full time handling marketing, sales and administration of the vineyard business.

Every Pinot Noir grown by Mondillo has picked up awards and recognition:

Mondillo Pinot Noir Vintage Accolades

Mondillo 2004 Pinot Noir
Medal in Bragato Wine Awards

Mondillo 2005 Pinot Noir
Gold Medal, Bragato Wine Awards
Named New Zealand’s Pinot Noir of the Year alongside Villa Maria Reserve Pinot Noir 2004 - WineNZ magazine

Mondillo 2006 Pinot Noir
Gold Medal, New Zealand International Wine Show
Recommended by Cuisine Magazine
Gold Medal - Pure Elite, Air New Zealand Wine Awards 2007
Highly Recommended, Four Stars - UK Decanter Magazine

Mondillo 2007 Pinot Noir
Gold Five Stars, Winestate Magazine Michael Cooper
Recommended by WineNZ
Recommended by F & B Magazine Peter Saunders

Mondillo 2008 Pinot Noir
Champion Wine of the Show - O-I New Zealand Trophy, Royal Easter Show Wine Awards
Champion Pinot Noir - New Zealand WineGrower Magazine Trophy, Royal Easter Show Wine Awards
Gold Medal, New Zealand International Wine Show
Gold Medal, Royal Easter Show Wine Awards
Recommended by Cuisine Magazine
Gold Five Stars, Winestate Magazine
Recommended by WineNZ
Silver Medal, London International Wine Show
Pure Silver Medal, Air New Zealand Wine Awards