Media Release – 25 June 2012
The Waitaki Comes Of Age. Forrest Wines Awarded Trophy For Best New Zealand Pinot Noir
“The Waitaki Valley, North Otago was firmly put on the world wine map at the 2012 International Wine Challenge, when the John Forrest Collection 2009 Waitaki Valley Pinot Noir was awarded the Trophy for the best New Zealand Pinot Noir.
Dr John Forrest, a pioneer of the Waitaki Valley, carefully selected and planted a site on northwest sloping limestone terraces during 2003, partly completing his vision to own grape growing land in all of New Zealand’s greatest terroir.
The honour of being named New Zealand’s premier Pinot Noir at the International Wine Challenge is testament to the Forrests unwavering commitment to the vineyard and producing wines of superior quality from the region.
The International Wine Challenge is considered one of the most prestigious wine competitions in the world. Judges included some of the UK’s leading wine commentators such as Tim Atkin MW, Oz Clarke, Charles Metcalfe, Sam Harrop MW, Derek Smedley MW and Peter McCombie MW.
Only 200 cases of the award winning wine were produced and the wine is expected to be in high demand when Pinot Noir lovers all over the globe want to try this “new kid on the block.”
Dr John Forrest, Owner and Winemaker of Forrest Wines commented “to read the Judges comments saying our wine was restrained, pure, and a joy makes me very happy, the Waitaki has great things to come and I am now even more excited than I was 10 years ago with the potential of the region, just watch out for the limestone expressive Chardonnays.”
Dr John Forrest, is well known for his pursuit of producing truly great Rieslings from New Zealand, but in recent months Forrest’s Pinot Noirs have been in the spotlight with Matthew Jukes and Tyson Stelzer increasing the winery to 3 star status in their NZ Pinot Noir Classification, 90pts being awarded for the Forrest Marlborough Pinot Noir 2010 by e-parker.com and now a national trophy.
The John Forrest Collection is a range of wine that showcases the best New Zealand vineyards have to offer, premium fruit selected from estate own vineyards and made only when the vintage quality allows. The 2006 Gimblett Gravels Syrah, from the Collection, also won a regional Trophy at the same wine competition in 2010.”
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Forrest Wines own vineyards in Marlborough, Bannockburn Central Otago, Waitaki Valley North Otago and Gimblett Gravels, Hawkes Bay. Drs John Forrest and Brigid Forrest established the winery in Marlborough in 1988 and remain hands on in all aspects of the family wine business. Forrest Wines is home of The Doctors.
For further information please contact:
Dan Taylor at Forrest Wines
dan@forrest.co.nz