Richmond Plains wins first ever gold medals for organic wines in Hong Kong

Nelson based organic vineyard Richmond Plains has just won the first gold medals ever specifically awarded by the Hong Kong International Wine Challenge for organic and biodynamic wines.

Richmond Plains has won two gold medals: for Richmond Plains Sauvignon Blanc 2010 and Richmond Plains Chardonnay 2009.

In fact, Richmond Plains has won medals for all its entries at this show, with Richmond Plains Nelson Pinot Noir 2010 and Richmond Plains Nelson Blanc de Noir 2010 both awarded silver medals. The latter is a rare style – white wine made from Pinot Noir grapes.

Lars Jensen, who owns Richmond Plains with his wife, Sam, says the results are exceptionally pleasing, coming from a very respected international wine competition in the world’s fastest growing wine market.

“Our philosophy at Richmond Plains is to produce delicious wine – while truly working with nature,” he says. “By carefully growing and nurturing our vines using natural, organic and biodynamic methods and harnessing all that nature has to offer, we can truly express the vineyard's character or terroir in our wines.”

Established in 1991 and exclusively organic since inception, their small family vineyard in Nelson is an organic and biodynamic specialist – the first New Zealand winery to achieve both certifications. Richmond Plains produced New Zealand’s first ever Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir and Blanc de Noir from certified organic and biodynamic grapes.

Winemaker Steve Gill says he is delighted with the recognition. “Winning two gold medals is fantastic! Richmond Plains’ future is looking very bright and these awards show that organic wines can taste wonderful as well as be good for you and the environment.”

The gold medal winning Richmond Plains Sauvignon Blanc 2010 has delicious gooseberry, passionfruit, lime and citrus aromas and flavours with a long zesty finish. Richmond Plains Chardonnay 2009 is fragrant and fruity, displaying ripe peach, nectarine with a hint of nutty characters.

Both these pioneering award winners carry a recommended retail price of NZ$19.95 and are sold via specialty wine shops and the Richmond Plains cellar door.