Simon Nunns, one of the senior judges, standing in for Chair Ben Glover at the Bragato Dinner, said this is the only show in New Zealand that recognises the unbreakable link from a wine’s standing place, through the people who grew the grapes and made the wine.
“The Bragato Wine Awards are all about recognising a wine’s Turangawaewae and all of us who are involved in this show are very honoured to be part of this process.”
The details of this year’s awards are as follows;
• 506 wines judged by three panels over two days
• 49 Gold = 9.7% of all entries
• 110 Silver = 21.7%
• 226 Bronze = 44.7%
• So, 76.1% of all wines entered won a medal
The biggest class was Pinot Noir with 112 wines, Chardonnay was second with 75 wines, while Sauvignon Blanc came in third with 54 wines.
Statistically the most successful class was Sparkling, which had seven wines entered, with two being awarded gold – a success rate of 26.6%.
And the winners are?
Bragato Trophy for Champion Wine of the Show
The Boneline Cabernet Franc 2016
Canterbury
Vineyard: Waipara West
Grower: Lindsay Hill
Mike Wolter Memorial Trophy for Champion Pinot Noir
Ruby Bay Pinot Noir 2016
Nelson
Vineyard: Ruby Bay Vineyard
Grower: Andrew Tamplin
Alan Limmer Trophy for Champion Syrah
Coopers Creek SV ‘Chalk Ridge’ Syrah 2015
Hawke’s Bay
Vineyard: Chalk Ridge
Grower: Wayne Morrow
O-I New Zealand Trophy for Champion Emerging Red Wine
The Boneline Cabernet Franc 2016
Canterbury
Vineyard: Waipara West
Grower: Lindsay Hill
Tom McDonald Memorial Trophy for Champion Classical Red Wine
Saint Clair James Sinclair Cabernet Merlot 2015
Hawke’s Bay
Vineyard: Plateau Vineyard
Grower: Neal & Judy Ibbotson
Richard Smart Trophy for Champion Rosé
Clark Estate Dayvinleigh Rosé 2017
Marlborough
Vineyard: Dayvinleigh
Grower: Kevin Johnston
New Zealand Frost Fans Trophy for Champion Sweet Wine
Villa Maria Reserve Noble Riesling Botrytis Selection 2015
Marlborough
Vineyard: Rocenvin Vineyard
Grower: Christine Fletcher
Glengarry Trophy for Champion Sparkling Wine
Akarua Vintage Brut 2011
Otago
Vineyard: Cairnmuir Road
Grower: Mark Naismith
Friedrich Wohnsiedler Trophy for Champion Riesling
Waipara Hills Soul Deans Riesling 2015
Canterbury
Vineyard: Deans Vineyard
Grower: Accolade Wines
Brother Cyprian Trophy for Champion Pinot Gris
Devil’s Staircase Pinot Gris 2016
Otago
Vineyard: Rockburn Wines Ltd
Grower: Chris James, Richard Bunton, Paul Halford
Nick Nobilo Trophy for Champion Gewürztraminer
Bladen Gewürztraminer 2016
Marlborough Vineyard: Paynters Road Vineyard Grower: Keven and Kerry TillyO-I New Zealand Trophy for Champion Emerging White Wine
Askerne Viognier 2016
Hawke’s Bay
Vineyard: Askerne
Grower: Kathryn and John Loughlin
Spence Brothers Trophy for Champion Sauvignon Blanc
Konrad Single Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2016
Marlborough
Vineyard: Konrad Wines
Grower: Konrad Hengstler
Bill Irwin Trophy for Champion Chardonnay
Domaine Rewa Chardonnay 2015
Otago
Vineyard: Domaine Rewa
Grower: Philippa Fourbet
