A record number of entries were received for the seventh annual Bragato Wine Awards this year. A team of qualified New Zealand judges under the direction of Bob Knappstein, fellow of WINZ, and chairman of judges John Hancock awarded a total of 224 medals including 22 golds. For the second year in a row the judges emphasised that the pinot noir wines were the strongest line up they had ever seen.
The Bragato Trophy winner, champion wine of show, went the Robert Newton of Newton Forrest Estate Cornerstone Vineyard with their exceptional Cornerstone Cabernet Sauvignon 1998. The wine also won the Tom McDonald Memorial Trophy for champion classical red table wine, together with the champion red table wine award, and was judged best cabernet sauvignon.
Bill Brink of Walnut Ridge, Martinborough and their Pinot Noir 2000 was awarded the Mike Wolter Memorial Trophy, champion pinot noir table wine. This was the exception to an otherwise clean sweep of the trophy awards to Hawkes Bay growers.
Nelson-Marlborough growers receiving best of class awards were John Marris, of Wither Hills Vineyards, for their Sauvignon Blanc 2000, Bryan Johnson, of Johnson Estate, for their Spy Valley Marlborough Gewurztraminer 2000, and Neal and Judy Ibbotson, of Saint Clair Estate Wines with their Doctors Creek Noble Botrytis 1999, as best dessert wine.
The finals of the annual Silver Secateurs national grape vine pruning competition was also held on 1st September at Springfield Vineyard in Taradale, Napier. Congratulations to Marty McKelvie, Jason Derbyshire and Rick Evans of Horticultural Services, Nelson for taking out the team event this year. Second place went to the Marlborough 1 team of Gareth Goodsir, Michael Bird and Sue O'Leary, and third place went to the Marlborough 2 team of Shaun Baker, Tere Poa and Val Manson.
Tere Poa of Marlborough was on fine form winning the individual pruning event, and forth place in the individual tying event. Shaun Baker, George Barrett and Michael Bird of Marlborough were also placed in the individual pruning event.
