Gibbston Valley Winery – Cave and Winery Tours

Another Major International Award for Gibbston Valley

We are celebrating the success of our 2009 Gibbston Valley Pinot Gris which netted two major Trophies at the 2010 Japan Wine Challenge. The judging panel, headed by Steven Spurrier, awarded it Trophies for Best New Zealand Wine, and Best New World White.
For winemaker Christopher Keys, these are significant awards. “International acclaim is meaningful, because we want our wines to stack up in a global context. This, following our Trophy at the Sydney International Wine Competition for the 2008 Reserve Pinot Noir, says we are doing exactly that.” It is pleasing for him to see Pinot Gris rewarded. In Central Otago, so renown for its Pinot Noir, he sees a real future for the wine.		“Pinot Gris offers so much complexity and balance, whilst being outrageously drinkable and food friendly. We are really careful not to dumb down our Gris, we are very clear what we want in both the vineyard and winery.” “I love the variety, I love its complexity. Too often in NZ it is maligned, but you have to be serious about it to make a credible product. We are, and I believe this is a step in the right direction, and proves the worth of our School House vineyard.” This is the second top award for the wine, having won Gold at the Royal Easter Show held in Auckland earlier this year.