First Rosé in Six Years picks up Top Rosé at Marlborough Wine Show

Marlborough Wine Show’s Champion Rosé for 2021 was the first attempt at a Rosé for the winning winery in six years.

Trophy winners Riverby Estate last made a Rosé in 2015, and knocked it out of the park when they decided to put it back on their wine list this year.

Winery owner Kevin Courtney says while they had previously made Rosés using Pinot Noir and Syrah, the 2021 vintage was made using a small percentage of Pinot Gris and Grüner Veltliner in place of Syrah, to boost the aromatics of the wine. 

The blend is still predominantly Pinot Noir.

“Usually when wineries make a Rosé that includes white grapes, they only include a small portion of red grapes to add some colour. We did it differently in that all of the grapes were harvested at the same time and they were all fermented together. 

“So the whole blending process took place in the vineyard, a field blend, literally,” Kevin says.

Grown at their Jackson’s Road Vineyard, the grapes used were the same quality as those used in the winery’s individual varietal wines to ensure a premium style of Rosé, with rows earmarked for the blend early on. 

“We were meticulous at the fermentation stage to only extract a minimal amount of colour from the skins … [and we] aimed for a dry style of Rosé as we also wanted the fruit richness to shine through,” Kevin says.

Alongside being named the Champion Rosé at the Marlborough Wine Show, the wine has received several glowing reviews since its release.

“Since it has gone so well this time, and is almost sold out already, it is highly probable that we will do it again next year and not wait another six years,” Kevin says.

Award sponsor, Scenic Hotel Marlborough has been involved with the show for many years as a way of giving back to an industry that makes the region so diverse and dynamic.

General Manager Carmel Horsley says they are particularly excited to sponsor the Rosé trophy.

“Over the years that we have sponsored this trophy there have been a great variety of wineries that have been awarded the top accolade and it is an honour to be able to become a small part of their story,” she says.