Nelson Cider Maker Ferments Position In Business With Top Award

Boutique New Zealand cider and fruit winemaker Redwood Cellars is enjoying the sweet taste of success after winning another string of high-profile awards.

Redwood Cellars has just been named the Supreme Winner in the Westpac Nelson Tasman Chamber of Commerce Business Awards where it was praised as being one of the strongest winning entries ever received. The company also won the large-business and innovation categories at the annual awards, held last month.

This success comes after winning seven medals for its Old Mout ciders at the prestigious Indy International Wine Competition held in the United States in August, and a virtual clean sweep at this year’s Fruit Winemakers Association’s National Awards where almost all of its products won coveted medals.

Redwood Cellars, who have experienced triple-digit percentage growth in the past year, are not surprisingly predicting record sales of their fruit wines and ciders this summer as word of their success spreads.

Redwood Cellars Director Scott Chapman says he and his business partner arrived in Nelson four years ago with the goal of getting into an interesting business that would keep them motivated and provide a good challenge.

“Through sheer hard work we have managed to lift the company’s productivity and performance, and the fact that we are now going head-to-head with our peers in wine competitions and consistently coming out on top is extremely gratifying.”

Chapman says their winning formula has been a combination of focusing on innovation, using the best ingredients and gathering together an expert team.

“We have really focused on employing the right people. It’s a simple strategy but one that’s paid off and we believe Redwood Cellars is now New Zealand’s most awarded fruit winery,” Chapman says.

“A year ago we came away from the Fruit Winemakers Association’s National Awards empty handed but our team rose to the challenge and this year we walked away with the single biggest medal haul.”

The company currently exports ciders to Australia, Japan and Asia, as well as supplying supermarkets throughout New Zealand.

Cider, in particular, is undergoing a strong resurgence among those who want an alternative to beer and wine, and Redwood Cellar’s cider brand Old Mout, (pronounced Moot), is thriving as a result.

About Redwood Cellars
Redwood Cellars can be found in the picturesque Redwood Valley between Nelson and Motueka, in the heart of New Zealand’s premier fruit and berry growing region.
Originally known as Noslen Wines (‘Nelson’ spelt in reverse), the winery has been producing innovative fruit wines and ciders for over 60 years.
Former Zespri colleagues Scott Chapman and Justin Hall took over the business in 2006 and now employ a total of 20 people.
Using the freshest ingredients from the Nelson region, Redwood Cellars ensures the flavour of Nelson is captured in all of its products.