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Press Releases

08 July 2008 - Glass- A Class Act Is Hard to Follow
At Wine New Zealand, we believe that quality wine should be showcased in a quality glass, so we are delighted to announce that Spiegelau has signed on as official glass sponsor of Wine New Zealand through to the 2010 event. ..

08 July 2008 - One of Australia’s greatest Shiraz winemakers joins Wyndham Estate
Wyndham Estate, maker of the number one Shiraz sold in Australia, has appointed Nigel Dolan as Chief Winemaker. Nigel is one of Australia's most awarded winemakers. During his stellar career he has been named Barossa Winemaker of the Year, South Australian Red Winemaker of the Year and was a finalist in the Qantas Australian Winemaker of the Year. He has also won Australian wine's most coveted prize, the Jimmy Watson Trophy, on two occasions - in 1992 and 2003. ..

08 July 2008 - New Alexia Wine Label Launched
This month winemaker Jane Cooper is releasing a revitalised label design for her Alexia brand. This label is a tribute to her grandmother and her mother who both had a real zest for life. ..

08 July 2008 - Pisa Range Estate - Judged 'a rising star' In UK Receives 5 Star Rating
Pisa Range Estate of Central Otago has received a resounding endorsement from UK based international wine commentator Robert Joseph for its pinot noir. Not only did he give the 2006 Pisa Range Estate “Black Poplar Block” Pinot Noir a 5/5 rating but it was selected in his list of “the very best of New Zealand’s wines by region”. ..

07 July 2008 - New Chairman & CEO appointed at Pernod Ricard Pacific
Pernod Ricard Pacific announced that Jean-Christophe Coutures has replaced Laurent Lacassagne as Chairman & CEO from 1st July 2008. Following five years in the Pacific region Laurent Lacassagne has been appointed Chairman and CEO of Pernod Ricard Europe, based in Paris. ..

07 July 2008 - Knowing Your Customer Key To Selling New Zealand Wine In Uk
New Zealand’s wine exporters are emerging from a “primordial swamp” in terms of their customer knowledge, warns international marketing expert Professor David Hughes. ..

04 July 2008 - Drinktrade.co.nz – a new marketplace for wine, spirits, soft drinks
www.drinktrade.co.nz - a ‘trade me’ for the drinks industry and more choice than any other internet marketplace. Developed by the team at TiZwine.com and run by FitzGerald Wine Auctions, Drinktrade is designed to be a ‘one stop shop’ for anybody to buy and sell drinks – be it wine, spirits or soft drinks. ..

04 July 2008 - Prince Of Wales’ Car Not Fueled By Surplus English Wine
Reports in some of the national and international press yesterday that the Prince of Wales is using, amongst other ingredients, English wines, are unfortunately misleading. The English wine involved in the production of bio fuel was spoiled stock and not from a suggested surplus of production. ..

03 July 2008 - Montana toasts 30 vintages of Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
Montana toasted 30 vintages of the iconic Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc with the release of this year’s Montana Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, and guests celebrated the wine that launched quality New Zealand wines onto the world stage. ..

03 July 2008 - Clearview Estate Receives Top Rating by UK Wine Writer
Clearview Estate, the boutique, coastal vineyard and winery, has received glowing praise from UK wine writer Robert Joseph for their Bordeaux blend 'Enigma.' ..

03 July 2008 - Sparkling Wine Trophy Retained By Camel Valley
Yet again Cornwall’s Camel Valley Vineyard has beaten off stiff opposition to gain a record four trophies in this year’s UK Vineyards Association annual competition. Judged solely by Masters of Wine, Camel Valley also won three gold medals and a string of silvers and bronzes, some for wines not yet released for sale. ..

03 July 2008 - Dr John Forrest: A Man For All Rieslings Tour
Dr John Forrest owner and winemaker of Forrest Estate Wines, Marlborough is taking his love of Riesling to the streets of New Zealand this winter with the ‘A Man for all Rieslings Tour’. John, a self confessed Riesling fanatic will be bringing several of his award-winning Rieslings to educational tastings including the 06 Botrytised Riesling which last week won Best of Show and Double Gold at the 2008 San Francisco Wine Awards. ..

02 July 2008 - Award Winners from the latest TiZwine Tasting
This tasting was based around Aromatics. The results have reinforced our opinion that New Zealand makes excellent Riesling, good Gewurztraminer and average Pinot Gris. ..

02 July 2008 - The Aurora Vineyard Syrah has been voted one of New Zealand's best wines by the UK's Telegraph
Robert Joseph has selected The Aurora Vineyard 2006 Bendigo Syrah as one of his top 20 New Zealand wines and given it a 5/5 rating. Robert suggested that the wine has a character that combines the qualities of Hermitage in the Rhone and subtler examples of Shiraz from Australia. ..

01 July 2008 - Wyndham Estate sails onto NZ television this weekend
Wyndham Estate will sail onto New Zealand television this weekend, with the 30-second commercial that takes viewers through the journey of where Australian Shiraz began. The TV advertising schedule for Wyndham Estate kicks off on Sunday 29th June at 8.50pm on Television One and will run for five weeks over July and August. ..

01 July 2008 - Olssens Delighted To Be Recognised As One Of New Zealand's Top Pinot Noir Producers
Olssens are delighted that one of the world's pre-eminent wine-writers should publicly recognise them as "Olssens, one of New Zealand's Top Pinot Noir Producers makes three individual examples of this grape: the memorably named Nipple Hill, the Jackson Barry and the flagship Slapjack Creek, which is only released in top vintages". ..

01 July 2008 - Fortnum & Mason Sparkles This Summer with Camel Valley
Cornwall’s leading vineyard, Camel Valley, has developed Fortnum & Mason’s first ever own label English sparkling wine . Camel Valley has produced just 3,000 bottles for the shelves of the world renowned food and drink emporium. This fresh yet vibrant fizz has elegant fruity aromas providing the perfect partner to this season’s British strawberries, light canapes and, indeed, any al fresco appetiser. ..

01 July 2008 - Hawke's Bay Initiative Wows New Zealand Wine Industry
Enthusiastic feedback from New Zealand’s first wine business symposium has prompted its organisers to make it a regular event held every two years. ..

30 June 2008 - Royal Visit For Award Winning Cornish Vineyard
When the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall visit the Duchy on Thursday 10th July, Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Cornwall will pay a visit to Camel Valley Vineyard near Bodmin. ..

27 June 2008 - Ascension Wine Estate Wins Northland Award
Ascension Wine Estate at Matakana has been announced winner of the “Outstanding Northland Winery Award” at the 2008 Mata-ariki Awards and Indigenous Gala Dinner organized by Northland Chefs and held at Whangarei's Forum North on Friday night. ..

26 June 2008 - Vinovation'08 Reminder
Vinovation’08 is less than a week away, and if you haven’t RSVPed (rsvp@corbansviticulture.co.nz) yet, this week is your last opportunity to book your space. ..

25 June 2008 - Rockburn Pinot Noir wins Gold in San Francisco
Rockburn Pinot Noir 2007 has earned a gold medal at the San Francisco International Wine Competition. Now in its 28th year, it is the largest, most influential wine competition in America, judged by a prestigious panel of nationally recognized wine experts. ..

24 June 2008 - Celebrating the start of winter with Lindauer - NZ's favourite bubbly
What better way to celebrate the arrival of winter snow falling on New Zealand’s ski fields, than with Lindauer Special Reserve Blanc de Blancs, meaning white of whites. “The award-winning Lindauer Special Reserve Blanc de Blancs is unquestionably elegant as it is made purely from Chardonnay grapes grown in our premium Gisborne vineyards and is crafted using the best champagne-making techniques. It is revered for its citrus freshness, approachable style and outstanding quality,” says winemaker Steve Voysey. ..

24 June 2008 - Coal Pit Cinquante Sauvignon Blanc wins Gold in San Francisco
The Coal Pit Cinquante Sauvignon Blanc 2007 has earned a gold medal at the San Francisco International Wine Competition. Now in its 28th year, it is the largest, most influential wine competition in America , judged by a prestigious panel of nationally recognized wine experts. ..

24 June 2008 - Trophies Mean Big Business for Central Otago Winery
Winning five major international trophies in four weeks was a welcome surprise for Central Otago’s Wild Earth Wines. The immediate rush of orders totalling over $1.5 million (retail value) from around the world was even better news. ..

19 June 2008 - Waiheke Restaurant Among New Zealand's Finest
Waiheke's Cable Bay Vineyards has been nominated as a finalist in the Cuisine NZ Restaurant of the Year Awards 2008. Cable Bay is the only restaurant on Waiheke and one of only 40 restaurants to be a finalist in this prestigious national competition ..

19 June 2008 - Theft of Italian Fine Wine
Liberty Wines would like to alert the trade to the theft on Monday night of a considerable quantity of Italian fine wine from a delivery trailer parked near to Octavian bonded warehouse in Hoddesdon, Herts. ..

19 June 2008 - Wild Earth Wines Named World’s Best Pinot Noir
Wild Earth Wines, a Central Otago winemaker, has been awarded the Trophy for Top International Pinot Noir at the International Wine Challenge in London. The trophy winning 2006 pinot noir was only the third vintage for the young winery. ..

19 June 2008 - Villa Maria reserves its place as NZ’s most awarded winery
Villa Maria has struck gold twice this month in the UK taking out top honours at the world’s largest wine competition, the International Wine Challenge, and in Decanter Magazine’s World Wine Awards. ..

19 June 2008 - Montana receives high praise from Decanter Magazine
Montana is proud to announce that Montana Terroir Series Rail Bridge Sauvignon Blanc 2007 has received a 'Wine of the Month' award in the July 2008 issue of Decanter Magazine. Only sixteen ‘Wines of the Month’ were chosen from wines around the world, of which, only one was from New Zealand. ..

18 June 2008 - Vinovation' 08 - Introducing the Inaugural Seminar Series
Vinovation’08, a seminar series run by Corbans Viticulture, combines the latest thinking about viticulture and marketing in the wine industry. This year’s Vinovation’08 is the first of what will become an annual event that will travel to Marlborough, Hawkes Bay and Auckland, offering guests an opportunity to learn from the best, and connect with wine industry colleagues across the country. ..

18 June 2008 - Reserve your table at New Zealand's Finest - Cuisine NZ Restaurant of the Year Awards 2008 Finalists Announced
Forty restaurants, from Arrowtown to Whangarei, have been unveiled as finalists in the Cuisine NZ Restaurant of the Year 2008 Awards, proudly supported by Mercedes-Benz. ..

17 June 2008 - Sauvignon Blanc London Wine Challenge Winner
The London International Wine Challenge hosts the largest wine contest in the world with over 9000 wines entered every year. Awards for the 2008 Challenge were announced today (16 June 2008) and Saint Clair Family Estate was awarded two of the top trophies, yet again reinforcing Saint Clair as New Zealand’s prestige producer of Sauvignon Blanc. ..

13 June 2008 - Saint Clair Family Estate's Pioneer Block Pioneering Change
Saint Clair has recently released eight new wines from its 2007 vintage, into its increasingly popular Saint Clair Pioneer Block Range. The new wines include four Chardonnays and four Pinot Noirs. ..

13 June 2008 - Casillero del Diablo Sponsors Summer Picnic Concerts
Chilean wine brand, Casillero del Diablo, has exclusive wine sponsorship of the annual Summer Proms & Smooth concerts series, which takes place at castles and stately homes all over the UK this summer. ..

12 June 2008 - The Hospitality Industry’s premier showcase event of the year
Despite being in the midst of a national 'tightening of the belt', the hospitality industry is still reporting a $4.8 billion turnover. New Zealand's best and brightest in the hospitality industry will be showcased at the upcoming Hospitality NZ Show at the end of August. ..

12 June 2008 - Corbans Viticulture Launches Total Vineyard Solutions
The quality of the wine you drink is not down to mere chance. Good vines, viticulture practices and a skilled winemaking team are aspects that influence quality, as experts in the industry, Corbans Viticulture, is well aware. ..

12 June 2008 - Pernod Ricard’s On the Job Training Leads the Way
Many work individuals would like to better themselves in terms of qualifications, but can’t afford to give up their job to gain a form of accreditation. A new scheme now operating within the viticulture industry takes those worries away by aligning everyday work practices with national qualifications. ..

12 June 2008 - the company of wine peopleTM wins JF Hillebrand Supply Chain Partner of the Year award
the company of wine peopleTM has won the JF Hillebrand Supply Chain Partner of the Year Award for 2008. This prestigious accolade was awarded to the company of wine peopleTM because of their positive, but critical involvement in the further development of the program. the company of wine peopleTM have been a pioneer in JF Hillebrand’s Supply Chain Management program since its launch in 2002. ..

12 June 2008 - Thandi on a winning streak
Thandi has added significantly to its silverware, thanks to impressive performances at a number of local and international wine competitions this year. ..

12 June 2008 - 'Full house for Lawson's Dry Hills'
Lawson's Dry Hills, the renowned New Zealand Marlborough winery established in 1992, has received an award for all wines entered into the UK International Wine Challenge 2008 (the Worlds largest wine competition) and The Decanter World Wine Awards 2008: ..

12 June 2008 - Al Brown wows US hospitality show
Acclaimed Wellington-based chef, Al Brown, from Logan Brown Restaurant & Bar has wowed the restaurant trade and hospitality media attending VIP events at the recent National Restaurant Association (NRA) Show in Chicago. The NRA show is North America’s largest gathering of foodservice professionals and attracts over 70,000 restaurant and food service visitors annually. ..

11 June 2008 - Queen's Birthday Honour for Michael Hill Smith
Michael Hill Smith MW, from Shaw and Smith wines in the Adelaide Hills, has been appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in this year’s Queen’s Birthday Honours. ..

10 June 2008 - 93 'Parker Points' for Hawkshead Pinot Noir 2006
We were pleased to receive such recogition for the wine from our single estate vineyard in the Gibbston Valley - arguably NZ's coolest climate sub-region for growing Pinot Noir. ..

09 June 2008 - New Viticulture Lecturer At Eit
French Canadian Michel Meunier is happily absorbing Hawke’s Bay’s wine culture after taking up a position as viticulture lecturer at EIT Hawke’s Bay. Born in Quebec, Michel moved to New Zealand from Australia, where he worked as a lecturer in wine science and viticulture at Charles Sturt University. ..

09 June 2008 - Brightwater Vineyards 2007 Nelson Sauvignon Blanc one of the Top Ten White Wines From The New World
The Independent Newspaper, one of Englands top national newspapers, has listed Brightwater Vineyards 2007 Nelson Sauvignon Blanc as one of the Top Ten White Wines From The New World. ..

09 June 2008 - Montana wins Supreme Pinot Noir Award
Montana Terraces “T” Marlborough Pinot Noir 2006 was the supreme award winner at the inaugural Discover Pinot Noir Awards announced on Thursday 5th June at the event held at Christchurch Casino. ..

09 June 2008 - Babich sells priciest container of wine to China
After years of laying the groundwork, Babich Wines is now enjoying exceptional growth in China, with its Guangzhou distributor recently ordering the most expensive container of wine it has ever sold anywhere in the world. ..

06 June 2008 - Nz Wine Wins Top International Trophy
Saint Clair Family Estate continues its trophy-winning streak with its renowned Sauvignon Blanc. The Marlborough based winery has been awarded the Trophy for the Top New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc over £10 at the 2008 Decanter World Wine Awards in London. ..

06 June 2008 - Final Call for NZ's cutting edge food products
Food companies have until tomorrow to enter the prestigious bi-annual Massey University Food Awards 2008. ..

05 June 2008 - Pernod Ricard New Zealand first winery to achieve five major international standards
Pernod Ricard New Zealand (formerly Montana Wines) is the first wine company in New Zealand to achieve five top international industry standards relating to quality, environment, health and safety, for all its vineyards, wineries and packaging facility. ..

05 June 2008 - Wairau River Wines Becomes Carbon Neutral On World Environment Day
Wairau River Wines Limited has been issued with carboNZero certification by Landcare Research, making it one of only three New Zealand wineries to be accredited and indeed one of a handful of carbon neutral wineries in the world. ..

05 June 2008 - Scholarship Trip Strengthens Hawke's Bay Ties With Italy
A month exploring Italy’s wine country was “a life-changing experience” for EIT Bragato Exchange Scholarship winner Desirée Janson. ..

04 June 2008 - Martinborough Pinot Noir Scores Hat Trick At London’s 2008 International Wine Challenge
Martinborough has pulled off an extraordinary trio of gold medals at the fiercely contested International Wine Challenge in London – the largest blind tasting competition in the world. In results just announced, after an exhausting two-week judging process involving 400 judges, Martinborough has emerged with three gold medals for outstanding Pinot Noir. ..

04 June 2008 - The Association of Wine Educators (AWE) has recently elected Richard Bampfield MW as its new Chairman
The Association of Wine Educators (AWE) has recently elected Richard Bampfield MW as its new Chairman, replacing Susan Hulme MW who steps down after three years in office. ..

02 June 2008 - Voss Estate Pinot Noir 2006 strikes GOLD at the International Wine Challenge 2008
Voss Estate Pinot Noir 2006 from Martinborough, New Zealand has just been awarded a Gold Medal in the International Wine Challenge in London. Attracting over 9,000 entries from around the globe, this is the world’s best and biggest wine competition. Only wines rated 95 to 100 points receive a gold medal. ..

30 May 2008 - Dates Confirmed for Central Otago Pinot Noir Celebration 2009
The seventh Central Otago Pinot Noir Celebration will be held on the 30th and 31st January 2009 in Queenstown, New Zealand. Confirmed delegates for the 2009 Celebration include world-renowned wine writer Jancis Robinson MW, who, after attending her first Celebration in 2005, described the event as "surely the most relaxed pinotfest ever.” ..

30 May 2008 - New Central Otago Winery Operational for 2008 Vintage
Coal Pit Vineyard on Coal Pit Road in the Gibbston Valley, Central Otago, has almost completed their 30-tonne winery designed by award-winning architect Chris Kelly of the Architecture Workshop in Wellington. ..

30 May 2008 - With a winemaking history going back five generations, Leconfield Wines of Coonawarra is embracing new technologies for the future.
Visitors to one of the Coonawarra’s signature family owned wineries, Leconfield Wines, can taste a collection of wines while watching the winemaking team hard at work. And whilst doing so, Cellar Door Event Manager, Rina Lockwood, is recording her visitor numbers and the purchases that they make to assess just how well her cellar door is performing with CellarDoorMETRICS(R). ..

30 May 2008 - Voss Estate Pinot Noir 2006 strikes GOLD at the International Wine Challenge 2008
Voss Estate Pinot Noir 2006 from Martinborough has just been awarded a Gold Medal in the International Wine Challenge in London. Attracting over 9,000 entries from around the globe, this is the world’s best and biggest wine competition. Only wines rated 95 to 100 points receive a gold medal. ..

29 May 2008 - Full house for Lawson's Dry Hills
Lawson’s Dry Hills, the renowned Marlborough winery established in 1992, has received an award for all wines entered into the UK International Wine Challenge 2008 (the Worlds largest wine competition – 9000 entries) and The Decanter World Wine Awards 2008: ..

29 May 2008 - The Society of Vintners launched at London International Wine Fair
The Society of Vintners celebrated its launch last week at the London International Wine Fair in the company of its officers, new members and with a generous bottle of Bordeaux courtesy of Yvon Mau. ..

29 May 2008 - Sommelier Success For The Grove
Michael Dearth, founder, owner and sommelier at renowned restaurant, The Grove, has been announced as this year's Negociants NZ Outstanding Sommelier at the 2008 Lewisham Foundation Awards ..

28 May 2008 - Hawke’s Bay Hosts Nz’s First Wine Business Symposium
The Eastern Institute of Technology in Hawke's Bay is soon to host New Zealand’s first New Zealand Wine Business Symposium on the 17th and 18th June 2008. The focus for the inaugural Symposium is Building Wine Brands and is billed as the wine event of the year not to miss. With rising exchange rates, seasonal labour pressure and shrinking export margins it has never been more important for wineries to examine their brands, business and marketing strategies. ..

28 May 2008 - Five new members join The Society of Vintners as turnover increases for the 5th successive year
The Society of Vintners Ltd has just announced five new members have joined in the last month while turnover was up for the fifth successive year. John Mansfield of The Society of Vintners said: “Our success in attracting new members stems from the fact that we have a great range of exclusive wines sourced from all over the world and we have a full-time secretariat to handle orders, shipping and deliveries from bond to our members within 48 hours”. ..

28 May 2008 - King Canute 21st Century Style - Global Climate Change.
King Canute found to his chagrin that trying to stop the ocean tides was a doomed and fruitless exercise. The climate change alarmists are heading for a similar outcome. ..

27 May 2008 - Pernod Ricard wins Outstanding Supplier of the Year Award
Pernod Ricard New Zealand (formerly Montana Wines), the country’s premier wine and spirits company, received the Outstanding Supplier of the Year Award, as nominated by the hospitality community, at the prestigious 2008 Lewisham Foundation Awards gala on 25th May. ..

26 May 2008 - Central Otago’s Wild Earth Wines Takes Trophy in World’s Largest Wine Show
Wild Earth Wines, a young Central Otago winemaker, has just been awarded the Trophy for Top New Zealand Pinot Noir at the Decanter World Wine Awards in London. This competition is the world’s largest with over 9,000 entries and is regarded as the toughest wine judging event globally. ..

23 May 2008 - erobertparker.com rates Rockburn 2007 Pinot Noir
Following a visit to New Zealand in January this year, Neal Martin of Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate has awarded a 91/100 rating for the Rockburn 2007 Pinot Noir. On the Robert Parker scale, a score of 91 indicates “an outstanding wine of exceptional complexity and character. In short, these are terrific wines.” ..

23 May 2008 - Wyndham Estate takes gold at Concours Mondial de Bruxelles
The number one Shiraz sold in New Zealand, Wyndham Estate BIN 555 Shiraz continues to cement its award-winning reputation. The 2005 vintage was honoured with a ‘Great Gold’ Medal at one of Europe’s largest wine competitions, the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles 2008, which took place in Bordeaux at the end of April 2008. ..

23 May 2008 - Linnaeus Team Develops Rapid DNA Fingerprinting
Scientific researchers at Linnaeus and Riversun Nursery Ltd have developed a faster and more accurate method of verifying grapevine varieties using a DNA testing technique more commonly associated with forensics. ..

23 May 2008 - Robert Parker’s ‘Wine Advocate’ declares Trinity Hill one of New Zealand's best producers
Following a trip to New Zealand in January, Neal Martin, winewriter for the highly influential Wine Advocate has declared Hawkes Bay and in particular Trinity Hill as an ‘outstanding producer and one of the country’s finest proponents of Syrah’. ..

23 May 2008 - JF Hillebrand Named Logistics Company of the Year
Firmly establishing their position as the UK’s leading beverage logistics provider, JF Hillebrand has once again been named Logistics Company of the Year by the drinks industry. ..

22 May 2008 - 2008 Air New Zealand Wine Awards Hits The Country's Capital
New Zealand Winegrowers today announced that the 2008 Air New Zealand Wine Awards will be held in Wellington later this year. Steve Smith, Chair of Judges for the Air New Zealand Wine Awards, said he was excited the black-tie gala dinner will be held in the nation's capital. ..

22 May 2008 - Food Show returns to Auckland with a star line up
New Zealand's most popular food and beverage exhibition, The Food Show, is returning to Auckland from 31 July – 3 August at the ASB Showgrounds. A star studded line-up of celebrity chefs and wine experts will be headlining The Food Show in Auckland including Australian-based, French chef Gabriel Gaté. ..

22 May 2008 - Drinks Business Elite Come Together to Confront Climate Change
The London International Wine Fair (LIWF) has added a whole new dimension this year as top beverage logistics and drinks business executives are actively pursuing new, cooperative, measures to address climate change. ..

19 May 2008 - Family Owned Vineyard – A Labour of Love.
What do you get when you combine a passionate Air Traffic Control Designer backed with a hard working family? Internationally appreciated wine. That’s exactly what Gary Dennison – Owner of Point Bush Estates has come to realise. A long held dream which has turned into a successful reality. ..

16 May 2008 - Increasing average visitor spend
Operating a cellar door in a remote region challenges wineries to make the most out of every visitor through their door. Finding out what kind of average sale is possible is another challenge in itself. Lamont's, a family owned winery based in Western Australia, is up for the challenge! ..

16 May 2008 - Mud House Wines Wins 12 Awards In The 2008 Pacific Rim Wine Competition
Judged against an elite list of competitors that includes some of the finest vineyards in the United States, Canada, South America and Australia, the leading winery Mud House Wines has made nearly a clean sweep of its entries in the 2008 Pacific Rim Wine Competition, winning 12 awards for the 15 wines it submitted. ..

16 May 2008 - U.S. wineries take 14 medals at Europe’s prestigious wine competition
A number of United States wineries showed a strong presence at last month’s 15th annual Concours Mondial de Bruxelles (CMB) international wine competition, one of the top international, professional wine and spirits competitions in the world. ..

15 May 2008 - Christchurch Casino To Recognise Excellence Of New Zealand Pinot Noir
Following the success of the annual South Island Sauvignon Blanc Awards, Christchurch Casino is launching the ‘Discover Pinot Noir Awards’, to recognise the extraordinary quality of New Zealand Pinot Noir varieties. ..

15 May 2008 - Pisa Range Estate - Uk Sommeliers Choice
The Central Otago 2006 Pisa Range Estate “Black Poplar Block” Pinot Noir was one of only nine wines from the New World to make the Short-List at 2008 Sommelier Wine Awards - UK announced in London this week. ..

15 May 2008 - First ever Church Road Reserve Syrah welcome addition
Church Road Winery is delighted to announce the release of its first ever Reserve Syrah. This outstanding expression of the variety from the 2006 vintage is a welcome addition to the Church Road Reserve range. ..

15 May 2008 - New Look For Coopers Creek Classic Range Wines
At Coopers Creek vineyard our classic range label is changing. But not the wine -as always our wines continue to offer consistent great taste and value for money. ..

15 May 2008 - Discover the Best from Italy's Friuli Venezia Giulia region at the International London Wine Trade Fair
A range of seminars matching regional food from the Friuli region of North East Italy will be taking place on stand U60 within the Italian village area at the International London Wine Trade Fair. ..

14 May 2008 - Toast Martinborough Wine Food & Music Festival
Now in its 17th year, Toast Martinborough is the annual showcase of quality wine produced in the award winning region. Held on the third Sunday in November, the festival sees the population of the small Wairarapa town swell tenfold as wine and food lovers from throughout the country and internationally come to celebrate the release of the new vintage and enjoy New Zealand's premium wine, food and music festival. ..

14 May 2008 - Preserve Your Fruitful Wine Collection With A Boutique Cellaring Service
Collectors, Connoisseurs and anyone who appreciates a good drop of fine wine will appreciate that proper cellaring requires both time and care. Batchelar Fine and Rare Wine is a premier provider for fine wine products and services, including a first-class storage and cellaring service designed to preserve the life and enhance the flavour of fine wine collections. ..

14 May 2008 - Mission Estate Releases 2008 Estate Sauvignon Blanc
Overwhelming demand for Mission Estate Winery’s Sauvignon Blanc has seen the 2007 vintage sell out far quicker than anticipated, and resulted in the earliest bottling of the 2008 vintage for the Mission yet. ..

14 May 2008 - Massey searches for NZ’s cutting edge food products
Massey University is calling for the most cutting edge new food and drink products in the country to enter into this year’s 2008 Massey University Food Awards. With only a month to go, organisers are encouraging food producers to get their entries in quick to compete in this prestigious bi-annual competition. Entries close on 6 June. ..

12 May 2008 - Australian Winemaker Who Produces ‘Battle Of Bosworth’ Range To Visit Battlefield
Joch Bosworth, the winemaker at the Edgehill Vineyard in Willunga, McLaren Vale, South Australia, is flying in to the U.K. on Wednesday 14th May 2008 and will immediately come to Leicestershire to visit the site of the Bosworth Battlefield. ..

12 May 2008 - Wine Tasting Evening & Buffet Wednesday 14th May 2008
Winemaker, Joch Bosworth, from McLaren Vale, South Australia, will be presenting his 'Battle of Bosworth' range of wines, made from Organically-cultivated grapes. ..

08 May 2008 - Bumper Harvest Promises Spectacular 2008 Tipples From Mud House Wines
In the wake of a brilliant summer - the best in a decade - the team at Mud House Wines is savouring the imminent prospect of a fine vintage. While patchy rain at summer's end made the last of the picking a slightly soggy affair for a few vineyards, the geographical spread of vineyards owned by the Waipara-based wine company will ensure a stellar range of 2008 vintage wines. ..

08 May 2008 - Stay Sweet With The Grove - Introducing a NEW Dessert Degustation Menu
Five sublime courses of desserts made by an award winning chef – tempting? Sure is. Many press releases are written by public relations consultants who remain distant and removed from the subject material. Not this one. This one is written by two passionate PR consultants who experienced Auckland’s first dessert degustation, first hand. ..

08 May 2008 - 2008 Marlborough Vintage Not That Large
Matt Thomson, winemaker at St. Clair Winery, believes that the 2008 vintage in Marlborough, whilst large, is not as big as that of 2004. Obviously, overall it will be larger as the region has grown in productive area, but per ha it is smaller. ..

08 May 2008 - WSSA Change in NZ
The US-based Wine and Spirits Shippers Association has appointed Albatrans NZ to handle its members' shipments of wine and spirits, effective June 1, 2008 ..

07 May 2008 - Dry summer a blessing to winemakers
The La Nina weather pattern that dominated the summer of 2008, bringing drought to many of the farming regions of New Zealand, was a blessing to the nation’s grape growers and winemakers. The prolonged warm, dry summer meant that all the grapes on the vine were able to ripen fully without disease pressure, yielding good volumes of well-developed, intensely flavoured fruit in most areas. ..

07 May 2008 - Second vintage of high-achieving wine released
With the award-winning Mount Dottrel Pinot Noir 2005 now all but sold out, wine lovers will be pleased to know that the second vintage from this Central Otago family venture is now available. Mount Dottrel Central Otago Pinot Noir 2006 was released on 1 May 2008. ..

07 May 2008 - London International Wine Fair: World film premier Mont Tauch - The Movie–Stand B51
Taste the wine; watch the movie! Be the first members of the UK trade to taste the new Mont Tauch South of France range Picpoul de Pinet and Pic Saint Loup and to see the new Mont Tauch film about this innovative cooperative and its growers. Then meet the President. Jean Marc Astruc, President of Mont Tauch will be there in the flesh on Tuesday and Wednesday for you to press with your questions. ..

06 May 2008 - 2008 - A Milestone Year for Misha's Vineyard
Misha's Vineyard has just completed their first commercial harvest after seven years of planning, preparing and planting. 'Our objective from the outset was to establish a 'no compromise' vineyard and just finding the ideal location that met all of our criteria took nearly two years' explained Misha Wilkinson'. ..

05 May 2008 - A New Company With a Long History
Nobilo Wine Group CEO Joe Stanton today announced a change of company name to Constellation New Zealand effective from 1 May 2008, saying “the launch of Constellation New Zealand marks the start of a new era for our company. ..

02 May 2008 - Martinborough Enjoys Magic Vintage
Quality and character of this region has never been in question, although very rarely do the rather humble winemakers of this district say this to the world. ..

01 May 2008 - Saint Clair Family Estate Appoints Negociants Australia
Saint Clair Family Estate has appointed Negociants Australia as its exclusive national distributor to the trade in Australia, excluding Western Australia, to take effect from 24 June 2008. ..

01 May 2008 - Sparkling Sensation Zibibbo Rosa tempts tastebuds at Wellington Food Show
Wellingtonians will have the ideal opportunity to sample one of the newest and bubbliest wines in town at the upcoming Wellington Food Show. Zibibbo Rosa is an exciting new sparkling wine that is deliciously fruity, delicately bubbly and comes in a subtle pink blush. It’s made by Brown Brothers, the family-owned Australian wine company, which is exhibiting at the Wellington Food Show for the first time this year. ..

01 May 2008 - Another Legendary Herzog Wine Dinner
Whilst Sauvignon Blanc put us on the International wine map, it’s the potential for other grape varieties that catches the attention of wine writers around the world. What is New Zealand capable of growing? ..

30 April 2008 - Treat Your Mum With Allan Scott's New Bubbly
You really do have a lot to thank your Mum for, so spoil her this Mother’s Day with a glass or two of Allan Scott’s brand new bubbly. The leading family winemaker has just launched 'Cecilia' and it is sure to make New Zealand Mums feel special. ..

30 April 2008 - Tickets now on sale to The Midland’s Hawke's Bay Charity Wine Auction 2008
Tickets are expected to be at a premium again for the annual Midland's Hawke's Bay Charity Wine Auction to be held at the Hawke's Bay Opera House on June 1st. ..

30 April 2008 - Knighthood for wine writer
The first fulltime wine writer ever to receive a Dutch knighthood, called the 'Order of Oranje Nassau' is Hubrecht Duijker. He recently (and to his total surprise) was awarded this distinction through the mayor of his village, mainly for his vast oeuvre, which includes more than a hundred books about wine, probably an all-time world record. ..

29 April 2008 - Montana Heritage Trail protects and promotes majestic local trees
Before the New Zealand wine industry first gathered impetus in the hills west of Auckland in the early part of the last century, the local economy was built on an indigenous plant – the giant kauri tree (Agathis australis). ..

29 April 2008 - Uncorking Opportunities for New Zealand Wine Producers in Hong Kong and China
For New Zealand wine producers looking to tap into the lucrative wine industry in Hong Kong and China, the Hong Kong SAR’s announcement of the abolition of wine duty and the launch of the inaugural Hong Kong International Wine Expo presents fruitful opportunities. ..

29 April 2008 - Consorzio Vino Chianti Classico announces 2008
The Consorzio Vino Chianti Classico announces its new UK promotional campaign for 2008, which will continue to build on the work of the previous three years to educate the trade and consumers about this top Italian region and its wines. ..

28 April 2008 - World’s Best Sommeliers Coming to New Zealand
An exciting opportunity to learn from the best sommeliers in the world is coming for New Zealand beverage professionals, with the ‘royalty’ of the Court of Master Sommeliers scheduled to visit New Zealand in August this year, brought to you by Pernod Ricard New Zealand. ..

23 April 2008 - Bag Two Bottles Of Allan Scott And Help The Environment
Family Winemaker Allan Scott has produced stylish, environmentally friendly two-bottle bags to be sold in Glengarry and Super Liquor stores during May and then available at various outlets from June. ..

23 April 2008 - New Laccase Test Kit By Dolmar - Works In the Presence Of S02!!!
Fleurieu Winery Supplies distributes in Australia & NZ, which is an improvement on anything currently available. See the attached data sheet. Its easily posted over to you in NZ. The Dolmar kit still uses syringaldazine but is a special formulation with other components to confer it the following advantages being : ..

22 April 2008 - Frankland Estate International Riesling Tasting To Be Held In Melbourne 23 &24 JUNE 2008
Highlight of the 2-day event will be a comparative tasting of over 30 of the world's most acclaimed rieslings from the 2005 and 2006 vintages selected by a panel headed by the Berlin-based English wine writer and internationally renowned riesling authority Stuart Pigott. ..

22 April 2008 - An Exhibition Full Of Promise
Vinexpo Asia-Pacific, the largest international wine and spirits exhibition in Asia returns to Hong Kong from 27 to 29 May 2008. More than 7,500 visitors are awaited to meet exhibitors from all over the world and to attend the many presentations and tastings that are scheduled. 2008 already promises to be another resounding success for the exhibition. ..

18 April 2008 - New press means more of a good thing
Award-winning Cable Bay Extra Virgin Olive Oil is set to get even better, with 'the Rolls-Royce of olive oil processing equipment' being installed in the winery ..

18 April 2008 - WineDater (www.WineDater.co.uk) - Romancing the Vine WineDater
Romancing the Vine WineDater, a new and exclusive dating events company, launched last Monday at The Hide Bar in trendy Bermondsey Street, SE1. ..

17 April 2008 - New Zealand Wine Business Symposium
PROGRAMME Eastern Institute of Technology, Gloucester Street, Taradale, Napier, Hawke’s Bay Tuesday 17 – Wednesday 18 June 2008 ..

15 April 2008 - Winejobsonline Grant Cheers Graduation Celebrations
Most educational grants are incredibly serious, even in the wine world. But a $300 grant presented by New Zealand specialist wine industry jobs website winejobsonline.com gave two fortunate graduates just enough hard cash for a bit of fun on graduation day recently. ..

14 April 2008 - Aussies Nearly Got Our Gold
NZ wine company mounts trans-Tasman rescue mission It’s the award winning Kiwi wine the Aussies didn’t get away with. New Zealand producer Vavasour Wines has mounted a trans-Tasman raid to retrieve a gold medal wine after a business receivership in Australia threatened to devalue the renowned brand. ..

14 April 2008 - 2008 Harvest Celebration Dinners- Dining @ Waterfall Bay
Nestled amongst native bush overlooking Waterfall Bay in the Marlborough Sounds, Seresin Estate's occasional restaurant will again welcome guests to share a special evening of fine food and wine to celebrate Marlborough’s 2008 harvest ..

14 April 2008 - Welcome to WineBiZ UK Edition
Welcome to the TiZwine WineBiZ Daily Newsletter. The articles below contain all the latest stories about the Wine Industry from around the world but with a European bias. ..

14 April 2008 - Wine Business Solutions launches 2008 Distributor Benchmarking Survey
WBS has just launched the wine industry's first distributor benchmarking survey. It's designed to provide tailored guidance on optimising profits through better returns on sales and marketing investment. Through benchmarking your distribution performance you’ll not only gain better understanding of your competitiveness, you'll also gain a substantial 'bargaining chip' with suppliers and distributors. Together, these two factors will you give a significant competitive advantage over non participants in the survey. ..

11 April 2008 - Kaimira Ventures Winery of Nelson goes Carbon Neutral
Kaimira Ventures Winery, maker of the Kaimira Estate and Brightside label range of wines, has been awarded carboNZeroCert TM certification in recognition of their efforts to reduce net greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere. ..

11 April 2008 - Auntsfield Heritage 2005 Pinot Noir
(This wine will be launched on May 7, 2008 at the luncheon following the unveiling of the David Herd statue) The Auntsfield Heritage 2005 Pinot Noir is our tribute to David Herd, who established Marlborough's first commercial vineyard at Auntsfield in the 1870's. The wine also celebrates the 100th anniversary of David Herd's last vintage in the year he died. ..

11 April 2008 - Pioneer Wine Maker Honoured
Unveiling of DAVID HERD Statue on May 7 Marlborough, now world-renowned as the source of premium wines, is to honour its first winemaker, David Herd. A statue will be unveiled at Blenheim airport, the gateway to the region, to celebrate Herd's place in the history of Marlborough and the industry. ..

09 April 2008 - Mud House Wines Takes Home 16 Medals From 2008 Royal Easter Show Awards
The leading winery Mud House Wines has more accolades to add to its rapidly expanding awards cabinet, having received two gold, five silver, and nine bronze medals at this year's Royal Easter Show Awards. ..

04 April 2008 - Are you masquerading as an Australian?
Have you seen the 'Australian' version of CellarDoorMETRICS(R) by mistake? This morning a Marlborough winery contacted us for more information about registering on CellarDoorMETRICS(R). After chatting for a while and talking about the success of the program in Australia, we realised that they had in fact been looking at the Australian CellarDoorMETRICS(R) website – not the New Zealand site! ..

04 April 2008 - Nursery Celebrates First To Be Accredited
Corbans Viticulture is celebrating its achievement of becoming the first New Zealand grape propagation nursery to be accredited as sustainable by Sustainable Winegrowers New Zealand (SWNZ). ..

03 April 2008 - LIPS Celebrate First Birthday with New Retailer Service
Liquor Information Pricing Search (LIPS) celebrated its first birthday by launching a new service for retailers to submit in-store liquor specials on www.lips.net.nz and profile their outlets to consumers looking to buy alcohol. ..

02 April 2008 - Pernod Ricard acquires Vin & Sprit and becomes the co-leader of the global wine and spirits industry
Pernod Ricard is pleased to announce the signing of a contract with the Kingdom of Sweden for the acquisition of 100% of the shares of the Vin & Sprit Group (“V&S”), the owner of Absolut vodka. The acquisition does not include V&S' 10% interest in Beam Global Spirits & Wine, Inc. ..

02 April 2008 - Opawa Pinot Noir Launch
Meaning 'Smokey River' in Maori, OPAWA PINOT NOIR is named after the vineyard in which the Nautilus Winery is situated. The Opawa River formed the gravel soils that make up the Marlborough Winegrowing heartland which includes the Nautilus Opawa Vineyard, and lead to the ripe, juicy structure of this wine. ..

02 April 2008 - Nursery Celebrates First to be Accredited
Corbans Viticulture is celebrating its achievement of becoming the first New Zealand grape propagation nursery to be accredited as sustainable by Sustainable Winegrowers New Zealand (SWNZ). Producing high quality grafted grapevines through sustainable practices is a core element of Corbans Viticulture. In 2007 the company was one of the first grape propagation nurseries to adopt the Grafted Grapevine Standard (GGS). ..

02 April 2008 - dmg world media Confirms Three-Year Sponsorship for Corbans Viticulture Wine New Zealand Seminars
In an increasing calendar of trade events and wine road shows, WINE NEW ZEALAND is proud of its distinction as an established, dynamic and comprehensive national event. Add to this, that it is the only wine trade event endorsed by the New Zealand Winegrowers Association, and that it offers hospitality professionals the unique opportunity to conduct their core New Zealand wine business through one event, this truly sets it apart from the competition. ..

01 April 2008 - Two Pivotal Appointments Show Growth At Saint Clair
Reflective of the growth and expansion of this family winery, the announcement of two appointments at Saint Clair Family Estate should come as no surprise - and nor should the calibre of the people! ..

31 March 2008 - Limited offer to find out how your cellar door compares?
When Hannah Logan, owner of Logan Wines, heard about CellarDoorMETRICS® she did not hesitate to register online. Logan had been looking for software to help to track and measure her cellar door performance but had found nothing that would provide the information she needed. ..

28 March 2008 - Does your cellar door make as much money as the next guy down the road?
So your cellar door appears to be doing well. But have you ever wondered how well? Have you ever wondered if you attract as many visitors as the next guy down the road, and do they spend as much when they do visit? Maybe you’re a star performer...or maybe you’re not! ..

26 March 2008 - Kaufland Launches Wine & Cork Education Promotion
Kaufland, the German-based retail grocery giant, announced it is sponsoring a unique wine and cork educational program and sweepstakes competition in four of its key hypermarket stores in Ulm, Ravensburg, Neusab and Konigsbrunn, Germany, during the month of March. ..

26 March 2008 - Enjoy Good Food, Fine Wines and a Trivia Quiz at Taylors 2008 Gourmet Weekend!
South Australian family winery Taylors, has spiced up the menu for the 23rd annual Clare Valley Gourmet Weekend set to take place at the winery in Auburn on Saturday 3 May and Sunday 4 May. ..

26 March 2008 - Slow Food for Marlborough
Seven Marlborough foodies passionate about good food and wine have formed a local 'convivium' of the international Slow Food movement. Slow Food is a non-profit, member-supported organisation encouraging people to take an interest in the food they eat, where it comes from, how it tastes and to think about how their food choices affect the rest of the world. Today there are over 80 000 members internationally. ..

25 March 2008 - The New TiZwine WineBiZ and Tipple News
Welcome to the new TiZwine WineBiZ and Tipple News - say that after a couple of glasses of wine! As you can see we have changed the appearance of the News. We just thought it was looking a little dated. If you do not allow your computer to download the images please give it a try. There is absolutely no risk and we believe that you will find the complete version much more interesting. ..

25 March 2008 - Last Chance To Enter Wines for the March TiZwine Tasting
This is the last week that wines can be entered wines for the current TiZwine Tasting. As previously described, the tasting will be based around Bordeaux Style, Merlot, Syrah and any other red wines that you care to enter. As always, we will also be tasting the usual selection of New Releases. However, please feel free to send in any other wines that you wish us to assess. ..

19 March 2008 - Happy Easter From The TiZwine Team
This will be the last edition of the WineBiz news and Tipple until Tuesday 25th March 2008. Giles, Sue and all the team at TiZwine.com would like to wish all our readers a Happy Easter. ..

18 March 2008 - Montana expects exceptional Pinot Gris from Hawke's Bay
The grape harvest in Hawke's Bay got underway at the beginning of March, somewhat earlier than usual. Chief winemaker, Jeff Clarke describes it as the kind of vintage winemakers love, with exceptional fruit quality, despite volumes being less than they might have been. ..

17 March 2008 - 'Sweet Success for Trinity Hill at 2008 Royal Easter Wine Show Awards'
Renowned for the tremendous quality of their wines and with more than 830 awards in just eleven years of operation, Trinity Hill have been awarded yet another trophy. ..

17 March 2008 - Three New Wine Tours From BKWine
Three wine and gastronomy tours are on the autumn travel program from BKWine. One classic trip, to Bordeaux; one new destination, to the Douro Valley in Portugal; and one gastronomic adventure to Champagne. ..

16 March 2008 - Leading Trade Wine Fair Announces New Initiative
WINE NEW ZEALAND is the leading trade event for the New Zealand hospitality and wine industries and the exclusive hospitality business event endorsed by the New Zealand Winegrowers Association. The traditional tasting forum displays the largest selection of New Zealand wines in the world, ranging from large commercial wineries through to boutique vineyards. ..

16 March 2008 - New Zealand Wine Hall of Fame:
Kevyn Moore, Hawke's Bay, a previous vice-president of HB Grape Growers, President of NZ Grape Growers Council for five years, and Life Member of NZ Grape Growers Council, was inducted into New Zealand Wine Hall of Fame on Saturday evening 8th March at the Royal Easter Show Wine Awards Trophy Presentation Dinner in Auckland. ..

13 March 2008 - It may be 220 years old, but Jameson Irish Whiskey is enjoying a resurgence in popularity
St. Patrick's Day is right around the corner and this year the Irish favourite will be in more kiwi hands than ever before. Jameson Irish Whiskey is the top-selling Irish whiskey in New Zealand, and indeed in the world. ..

13 March 2008 - Saint Clair reinforce reputation as a leading producer of Sauvignon Blanc
Saint Clair Pioneer Block 11 Cell Block Sauvignon Blanc 2007 was awarded the Champion Sauvignon Blanc trophy at 2008 Royal Easter Show Wine Awards Gala Dinner held at the weekend. ..