Pure Organic Gold

Te Mania a Nelson wine making pioneer has won Pure Gold for its 2011 Sauvignon Blanc at the 2011 Air New Zealand Wine Awards.

“We have nearly sold out of our 2010 which won Gold at the Sydney international so it’s very pleasing to again be recognised for producing exceptional Nelson Sauvignon Blanc” said Jon Harrey co-founder of Te Mania vineyard.

“Pure Gold is recognition for the organic certification of this wine which shows you can make great wine that is good for you to drink as well as being good for the environment. We planted our first vines 21 years ago on the Nelson plains and we have seen huge changes to grape growing over the last decade. The biggest change for us has been our move into organic production and it is now very rewarding to see the health of our vines being reflected in the quality of the fruit and in wines we are currently producing..”

Winemaker Steve Gill says he is delighted with the recognition which helps confirm Nelson’s position as a leading producer of premium quality Sauvignon Blanc. “Winning another gold medal is fantastic! Te Mania’s future is looking very bright and this recognition helps us to further promote our wine in the international market. The 2011 Te Mania Sauvignon Blanc has delicious gooseberry, passionfruit, lime and citrus aromas and flavours with a long zesty finish.”

The Air New Zealand Wine Awards are the premier wine competition in New Zealand attracting more than 1,500 entries each year.

Gold Medal winners will be celebrated at a special tasting in Auckland and Trophies awarded at a gala dinner at the Langham on Saturday 12 November 2011.
Te Mania also won Silver for its 2011 Pinot Gris and its new 2011 Gewurztraminer – the first made under the Te Mania label.

These award winning wines sell for NZ$19.95 at Te Mania’s cellar door in McShane Road, Richmond. 

Background Information

Nelson Winemaking Pioneer

Jon and Cheryl Harrey are Nelson winemaking pioneers on the Waimea plains after which they named Te Mănia (the Maori name for “The Plains” pronounced “Tay Ma-ni-a”). Seeing the potential of the ancient alluvial river terraces through which rivers flow from the mountains the sea at the head of the Southern Alps, the Harrey’s planted their first vines in 1990. The vineyard’s free
draining stony clay loam soil on these terraces, combined with Nelson’s cool maritime climate and high sunshine hours, produce grapes and wines of the finest quality.

Te Mănia is very much a family affair focusing one producing small runs of vibrant aromatic white wines and elegant cool climate pinot noir. Te Mănia sells about 10,000 cases of wine per year which are sought after around the world. Wine is sold to a dozen different countries including USA, Canada, England, The Netherlands, Belgium, Australia, Singapore, Japan, Hong Kong and China.

Te Mănia is located near the beautiful coastline of Tasman Bay. The free spirit of Nelson’s idyllic lifestyle and climate is captured by the Harrier Hawk gliding on the breeze above its vineyards.