The Upper North Island Wine Challenge was initiated from a perceived need for the region and it’s sub-regions to be recognized as making a unique and historical contribution to the New Zealand Wine Industry.
We believe this collaborative approach between The University of Auckland and regional winegrowers is unique, and our point of difference will in the long-term focus on the ability to identify the sub-regional differences between wines and the consequent challenges for winegrowers and winemakers.
We look forward to celebrating with you the quality and achievements of wines produced within our region, and to future endeavors with local winegrowers.
An awards evening will be held at Old Government House, Princes St, Auckland, on Saturday 13 October from 6-8pm.
Find more information about the awards dinner
We look forward to seeing you there. Please address your enquiries to the organiser:
Shona White
Phone: +64 7 378 9681
Email: wineshowqueen@gmail.com
And here are the results for the Upper North Island Wine Challenge 2012
Gold Medal
Red blends Cabernet sauvignon dominant
- First Growth Ltd, Expatrius, Blend of 8, 2010. (Auckland-Waiheke)
Syrah
- First Growth Ltd, Expatrius Syrah 2010 (Auckland-Waiheke)
- KariKari Estate, Syrah 2010 (Northland-Far North)
- Obsidian Vineyard, Obsidian Syrah 2010 (Auckland-Waiheke)
- Passage Rock Wines, Passage Rock Syrah, Reserve 2010 (Auckland-Waiheke)
Silver Medal
Chardonnay
- Marsden Estate, Black Rocks Chardonnay 2011 (Northland-Keri Keri)
- Mountain Landing, The Landing, Chardonnay 2010 (Northland)
- Mountain Landing, The Landing, Chardonnay 2011 (Northland)
Gewurztraminer
- Villa Maria Estate, Single Vineyard Ihumatao Gewurztraminer 2010 (Auckland)
Viognier
- Passage Rock Wines, Viognier 2011 (Auckland-Waiheke)
Red Blends Merlot Dominant
- Soho Wine Co, Revolver 2010 (Auckland-Waiheke)
- Ti Point Vineyard, Ti Pont Two Merlot, Cabernet Franc 2011 (Auckland-Matakana)
Syrah
- First Growth Ltd, Te Rere Syrah 2010 (Auckland-Waiheke)
- Omata Estate Ltd, Syrah 2010 (Northland-Bay of Islands)
- Ti Point Vineyard, Ti Point One Matriarch Syrah 2010 (Auckland-Matakana)
Other Reds – blended, specified, unspecified
- KarKari Estate, Pinotage 2010 (Northland-Far North)
- Mahurangi River Winery, Mainly Malbec 2010 (Auckland-Matakana)
- Omaha Bay Vineyard, Montepulciano 2010 (Auckland-Matakana)
- Waitapu Estate, Reef Point Pinotage 2007(Northland-Far North)
Bronze Medal
Chardonnay
- Goldie Wines, Goldie Chardonnay 2011 (Auckland-Waiheke)
- Hyperion Wines, Helios Chardonnay 2011 (Auckland-Matakana)
- Mahurangi River Winery, Field of Grace Chardonnay 2011 (Auckland-Matakana)
- Ransom Wines, Cosmos Chardonnay 2009 (Auckland-Matakana)
Sauvignon blanc
- First Growth Ltd, Expatrius Sauvignon blanc 2010 (Auckland-Waiheke)
- Passage Rock Wines, Passage Rock Waiheke Sauvignon blanc 2012 (Auckland-Waiheke)
Riesling
- Sailfish Cove Wines, Riesling 2012 (Northland-Whangarei)
Pinot gris
- Goldie Wines, Island Pinot gris 2012 (Auckland-Waiheke)
- Passage Rock Wines, Passage Rock Waiheke Pinot gris 2012 (Auckland-Waiheke)
Other Whites – blended, specified, unspecified
- Omaha Bay Vineyard, Flora, The Imposter 2009 (Auckland-Matakana)
Pinot noir
- Hyperion Wines, Eos Pinot noir 2010 (Auckland-Matakana)
Red Blends
- Goldie Wines, Goldie Cabernet Merlot Franc 2010 (Auckland-Waiheke)
- Hyperion Wines, The Titan Cabernet sauvignon 2010 (Auckland-Matakana)
- Passage Rock Wines, Passage Rock Reserve Cabernet 2010 (Auckland-Waiheke)
- Ransom Wines, Dark Summit 2004 (Auckland-Matakana)
- Ransom Wines, Dark Summit 2010 (Auckland-Matakana)
Red Blends Merlot Dominant
- Goldie Wines, Goldie Esslin 2010 (Auckland-Waiheke)
- Ti Point Vineyard, Ti Point One Merlot Cabernet Franc 2010 (Auckland-Matakana)
Syrah
- Goldie Wines, Goldie Syrah 2011 (Auckland-Waiheke)
- Iron Hills Vineyards Ltd, Serine Syrah 2011 (Northland)
- Mahurangi River Winery, Syrah 2010 (Auckland-Matakana)
- Marsden Estate, Syrah 2011 (Northland-KerKeri)
- Obsidian Vineyard, Weeping Sands Syrah 2011 (Auckland-Waiheke)
- Soho Wine Co, Soho Valentina Syrah 2011 (Auckland-Waiheke)
- Waitapu Estate, Reef Point Syrah 2009 (Northland-Far North)
Other reds – blended, specified, unspecified
- Ake Ake Vineyard, Ake Ake Chambourcin 2011 (Northland)
- Hilltop Wines, Cabernet franc 2011 (Waikato-Hamilton)
- Hyperion Wines, Midas Malbec 2010 (Auckland-Matakana)
- KariKari Estate, Toa (Cabernet franc/Malbec) 2007 (Northland-Far North)
- KariKari Estate, Toa Iti 2008 (Northland-Far North)
- KariKari Estate, Toa Iti 2009 (Northland-Far North)
- Marsden Estate, Chambourcin 2011 (Northland-KerKeri)
- Obsidian Vineyard, Weeping Sands Montepulciano 2011 (Auckland-Waiheke)
- Obsidian Vineyard, Weeping Sands Tempranillo 2011 (Auckland-Waiheke)
- Passage Rock Wines, Passage Rock Magnus 2010 (Auckland-Waiheke)
- Ransom Wines, Carmenere 2010 (Auckland-Matakana)
- Waitapu Estate, Quail Run, Cabernet franc/Syrah 2010 (Northland-Far North)
- Waitapu Estate, Reef Point Pinotage 2008 (Northland-Far North)