Trifecta of Awards Kicked off by Champion Riesling for Wairau River Wines

The team at Wairau River Wines was thrilled to receive three awards at the 2021 Marlborough Wine Show, their Summer Riesling kicking off the trifecta.

Picking up the De Sangosse Champion Riesling of the Show, the Wairau River Estate Summer Riesling 2021 is a single vineyard wine, grown right outside their winery. 

Winemaker Tommaso Tadiello says the team was proud to come away with the title.

“The reception of the wine and the consideration made us very proud. Making quality wines is always our goal and receiving this trophy tells us we are on the right track,” he says.

As a lower alcohol, medium sweet wine, the Riesling retains all the varietal and flavour characteristics achieved through hard work in the vineyard, alongside picking the fruit when the grapes are at the perfect balance, Tommaseo says.

The fruit is handpicked and gently pressed in the winery, allowing some skin contact before the juice is chilled for two days, followed by a cool fermentation.

The balanced, finished product is achieved as a result of careful and considered teamwork.

“The importance of the work done in the vineyard is crucial and then the care and experience of the winery team is important to craft something special. Teamwork is key,” Tommaseo says.

Award sponsors De Sangosse New Zealand became a sponsor of the show when it was first established by Belinda Jackson and Margaret Cresswell in 2011.

De Sangosse NZ Business Manager Stu Miller says the company decided to support the show as a way of being part of something bigger for Marlborough. 

“We wanted to support local, and even better, support the wine industry in itself.”

“Back then, it was about getting involved in something that we envisioned would become a staple event for the wine industry, and something that our local winemakers and winegrowers strived for, and it has; obtaining an award at the Marlborough Wine Show is up there with the most sought-after achievements for our wineries now,” Stu says.