Bay Winemaker Enjoys Gold Rush

Leading Tauranga winemaker Steve Bird is attracting international acclaim by winning more gold medals, proving he is genuinely one of the best in the business.

Bird’s winemaking talent was rewarded again this week when his 2009 Old Schoolhouse Vineyard Pinot Noir won a ‘pure gold’ medal at the Air New Zealand Wine Awards – one of only two Marlborough wineries to achieve pure gold for Pinot Noir.

Pure gold medals are awarded to outstanding wines that are 100 per cent sustainably-grown and produced. The annual competition – which is New Zealand’s premier wine event – saw almost 1600 wines entered from 10 key wine growing regions.

“To win a pure gold medal this week is a terrific complement. Adding an Air New Zealand Wine Awards gold medal to your label is a guaranteed way of boosting sales because consumers know they will be buying an outstanding wine.”

Bird produces his Pinot Noir in “Vernou Roll Fermenters” – a process he has pioneered for this varietal using specially designed 900lt barrels. He describes his 2009 vintage as a complex, voluptuous wine exhibiting dark berry fruit, plum and cherry aromas and flavours with a hint of spice and chocolate.

The winemaker’s 2010 Bird Sauvignon Blanc took out a pure silver medal at the Air New Zealand Wine Awards and his 2010 Bird Riesling was awarded a pure bronze medal – both wines are from the Old Schoolhouse Vineyard in Marlborough.

This week’s announcement of the Air New Zealand Wine Awards follows three days of judging and precedes a gala dinner on Saturday 20 November in Auckland, where sought-after trophies and elite gold medal winners will be announced.

But Bird’s golden run does not end there.

The local winemaker has just learned he will also be awarded a prestigious Blue Gold medal for his 2010 Riesling at Sydney’s International TOP 100 Wine Competition.

His 2010 Riesling is already an award-winner, having picked up a gold medal at this year’s New Zealand International Wine Show held in September.

“It’s very gratifying to be acknowledged at both a national and international level like this. 2010 is one of the best vintages I’ve seen in three decades thanks to the long, dry and cool growing conditions at our vineyard in Marlborough,” Bird says.

The Sydney International Wine Competition is designed to help diners choose outstanding wines to complement the dishes for their dining table. A panel of 12 international experts judged up to 2000 entries before deciding on their TOP 100 list.

Bird Wines are distributed through Ballande New Zealand and are available through fine wine retailers nationwide and selected bar and restaurants.

Visit www.birdwines.com  for more information about Steve Bird Winery & Vineyards, and tasting notes for both the 2009 Bird Pinot Noir and the 2010 Bird Riesling.

For trade inquiries contact anne@ballande.co.nz  or phone 09 638 9921.