Villa Maria defends Champion Wine Trophy at Bragato Wine Awards
Villa Maria’s Chardonnay success story continues with their Single Vineyard Ihumatao Chardonnay 2011 securing the Champion Wine of Show, Champion Chardonnay and the Sustainability Trophy at last night’s Bragato Wine Awards in Blenheim.
The trophies are staying in the family, as Villa Maria’s much acclaimed Keltern Chardonnay, won these trophies at last year’s Bragato Awards.
Villa Maria’s Ihumatao vineyard is located in a wind protected crater of an extinct volcano on the edge of the Manukau harbour in Auckland. Its free draining soils and a unique soil profile lead to the production of this very distinctive Chardonnay.
This unique wine won over the Bragato Wine Award judges eight times in a row by now, continuously securing a gold medal at these awards since 2005.
Villa Maria Auckland Winemaker David Roper commented on the trophy wins: “The Bragato Wine Awards recognise the effort from the work in the vineyard right through to the winemaking. This incredible result reflects Brett Donaldson’s (Auckland viticulturist) passion and meticulous vineyard management over the past eight years resulting in a proud history of consistently producing outstanding Chardonnay. To be awarded the Sustainability Trophy for this wine also recognises the effort to gain accreditation and reflects Villa Maria’s commitment to sustainable practices throughout the whole business,” he said.
Other trophies for Villa Maria wines went to their Hawkes Bay portfolio with Villa Maria Reserve Gimblett Gravels Malbec 2009 winning the Champion Other Red Wine trophy and Villa Maria Reserve Hawkes Bay Merlot 2009 being named Champion Merlot of the show.
Six judges tasted 534 entries at this year’s Bragato Wine Awards, awarding 15 trophies, 49 gold medals, 109 silver and 226 bronze medals.
A summary of Villa Maria’s trophy and gold medal results:
TROPHIES
Champion wine and Bragato Trophy: Villa Maria Single Vineyard Ihumatao Chardonnay 2011; Ihumatao Vineyard, Auckland; Brett Donaldson.
Sustainability Trophy: Villa Maria Single Vineyard Ihumatao Chardonnay 2011; Ihumatao Vineyard; Brett Donaldson.
Champion Chardonnay and Bill Irwin Trophy: Villa Maria Single Vineyard Ihumatao Chardonnay 2011; Ihumatao Vineyard; Brett Donaldson.
Champion Merlot: Villa Maria Reserve Hawkes Bay Merlot 2009; Omahu Gravels Vineyard, Hawkes Bay; Phil Holden.
Champion other red wine: Villa Maria Reserve Gimblett Gravels Malbec 2009; Omahu Gravels Vineyard, Hawkes Bay; Phil Holden.
GOLD MEDALS
Villa Maria Single Vineyard Ihumatao Chardonnay 2011 - Brett Donaldson
Villa Maria Single Vineyard Keltern Chardonnay 2011 - Mark Dixon
Villa Maria Single Vineyard Omahu Gravels Viognier 2010 - Phil Holden
Villa Maria Reserve Hawkes Bay Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2008 - Phil Holden
Villa Maria Reserve Hawkes Bay Merlot 2009
Villa Maria Reserve Gimblett Gravels Malbec 2009 - Phil Holden
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