A Night of Celebration at the Romeo Bragato Wine Awards 2015
An Auckland Chardonnay and a Hawke’s Bay Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot shine at this year’s Romeo Bragato Wine Awards.
Grown by Brett Donaldson, the Villa Maria Single Vineyard Ihumatao Chardonnay 2013 won the coveted Bragato Trophy – Champion Single Vineyard Wine and the Bill Irwin Trophy for Champion Chardonnay. “The Bragato Trophy went to this beautifully handled Chardonnay because in simple terms – it was exceptional. The wine had a sense of place and it was a pleasure to savour and taste” said Chairman of Judges Ben Glover.
Villa Maria’s Reserve Gimblett Gravels Hawke’s Bay Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2013, made from grapes grown on the Vidal Vineyard by Phil Holden won the Richard Smart Trophy – Champion Domaine Wine. “This was just a beautifully crafted wine – well done to all on allowing the fruit to shine with deft and subtle winemaking” said Mr Glover.
The Bragato Wine Awards, held each year as part of the New Zealand Winegrowers Romeo Bragato National Conference, are awarded to the grower for viticultural excellence. The competition recognises that growing excellent grapes is the foundation of making wines of true quality. The Trophies were presented at the Bragato Dinner in Hawke’s Bay last night.
Bragato Wine Awards 2015 Trophy Results:
Bragato Trophy and Champion Single Vineyard Wine
Villa Maria Single Vineyard Ihumatao Chardonnay 2013
Ihumatao Vineyard, Auckland
Brett Donaldson
Richard Smart Trophy and Champion Domaine Wine
Villa Maria Reserve Gimblett Gravels Hawke’s Bay Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2013
Vidal Vineyard, Hawke’s Bay
Phil Holden
Friedrich Wohnsiedler Trophy Winner and Champion Riesling
Thornbury Waipara Riesling 2015
Waiata Vineyard, Waipara
Royce McKean
Brother Cyprian Trophy Winner and Champion Pinot Gris
Church Road Pinot Gris 2015
Matapiro Estate, Hawke’s Bay
Max Bixley
Champion Gewürztraminer
Blackenbrook Nelson Gewürztraminer 2014
Blackenbrook Vineyard, Nelson
Daniel Schwarzenbach
Champion Other White Wine
Saint Clair Marlborough Premium Grüner Veltliner 2014
Hawkesbury Farm Ltd, Marlborough
Robert & Heather Goulter
Champion Sweet Wine
Villa Maria Reserve Marlborough Noble Semillon Botrytis Selection 2011
Hammond Vineyard, Marlborough
Rob Hammond
New Zealand Wine Cellars Spence Brothers Trophy Winner and Champion Sauvignon Blanc
Stoneleigh Rapaura Series Sauvignon Blanc 2015
Stoneleigh, Marlborough
Rod Brailsford
Champion Sparkling Wine
Akarua Vintage Brut 2010
Akarua Wines, Central Otago
Mark Naismith
Bill Irwin Trophy Winner and Champion Chardonnay
Villa Maria Single Vineyard Ihumatao Chardonnay 2013
Ihumatao Vineyard, Auckland
Brett Donaldson
Champion Rosé
Whitehaven Rosé 2015
Whitehaven Wine Company Limited, Marlborough
Sioban Harnett
Mike Wolter Memorial Trophy Winner and Champion Pinot Noir
Maude, Mt Maude Vineyard, Pinot Noir 2014
Mount Maude Vineyard, Central Otago
Terry Wilson
Tom McDonald Memorial Trophy Winner and Champion Classical Red Wine
Villa Maria Reserve Gimblett Gravels Hawke’s Bay Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2013
Vidal Vineyard, Hawke’s Bay
Phil Holden
Alan Limmer Trophy Winner and Champion Syrah
Talisman Syrah 2013
Elms Vineyard, Hawke’s Bay
Peter Yealands
For a full list of medals click here.
Note: To be awarded the Bragato Trophy – Champion Single Vineyard Wine, a minimum of 95% of the grape juice content must come from a single vineyard.
To be awarded the Richard Smart Trophy – Champion Domaine Wine, a minimum of 85% of the grape juice content must come from a single vineyard.
For further information please contact:
Ben Glover
Chair of Judges
Bragato Wine Awards
029 520 8288
ben.glover@accolade-wines.co.nz