Dashwood Named Open White Champion at Air New Zealand Wine Awards

Dashwood Wine is pleased to announce it has won two trophies and a Pure Elite Gold Medal at this year's Air New Zealand Wine Awards for its 2011 Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc. The event included 1,504 wines of which 269 were Sauvignon Blancs.

Dashwood's trophies were for Label and Litho Champion Sauvignon Blanc and New World Champion Open White Wine. The winery also received a prestigious Pure Elite Gold medal. According to the judges: "This smashing beauty shows perfumed aromas of passion fruit, lime zest and subtle capsicum. Impressively concentrated and intense, perfectly balanced."

Said Dashwood's winemaker Stu Marfell, "Air New Zealand is the biggest and most important wine show in New Zealand. With New Zealand producing some of the world's most celebrated Sauvignon Blancs, winning a trophy for the 2011 Dashwood is truly an honour."

Composed entirely of Sauvignon Blanc the wine blends grapes from Wairau Valley (60% for passion fruit and tropical aromas) and Awatere Valley (40% for weight and structure). Viticulturist Allan Croker works closely with independent growers to ensure the best possible fruit.

Continues Marfell, "I am constantly amazed at the quality of Marlborough's wines. I tasted through the other gold medal winners and was impressed with their character and style. It was a testament to the great terroir we have here and the talent of our staff!"

Dashwood produces Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Gris from estate and grower vineyards in Marlborough's Awatere and Wairau Valleys. Bill Foley, the owner of Dashwood, and its parent company, Foley Family Wines, commented after the event, "It was a thrill to be there during the awards ceremony. The entire Dashwood team has shown incredible dedication in the vineyards and winery. The medals and the trophies were the crowning achievement of their hard work and innovation. I'm very happy for everyone involved."

The Air New Zealand Wine Awards 2011 marks a 25 year partnership between New Zealand Winegrowers and New Zealand's national airline. Over the last 25 years, nearly 30,000 wine entries have been evaluated by more than 130 different judges, including more than 50 international judges. The event
also promotes sustainability with 75% of this year's wines being farmed and produced sustainably.

 For more information please visit
http://www.foleyfamilywines.com.