Cowboys are alive and well in Texas and Kono NZ rode well in The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo International Wine Competition. The show itself is the world’s largest livestock show and rodeo and is a charitable event dedicated to benefiting youth, supporting education, and facilitating better agricultural practices.
The Rodeo Uncorked International Wine Competition attracted nearly 2,500 entries from 20 different countries, including Chile, Croatia, France, New Zealand and Portugal. Tohu Single Vineyard Marlborough Pinot Noir 2013 emerged as a winner, being awarded a Double Gold Medal and Reserve Class Champion. This not only means that it was the second highest scoring Pinot Noir from the Pacific Rim, but that the Kono Winery will receive a Texan sized belt buckle with the award information on it.
Kono NZ Chief Winemaker, Bruce Taylor, is pleased to be keeping it in the family. “Curiously my uncle namesake, Bruce Taylor, also won a few awards at the Houston Rodeo back in the 1960’s. He was a bit more manly though, it was for bull riding.”
Two other Kono wines were also entered in the competition and were awarded medals. One medal went to Tohu Single Vineyard Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2014, and the other to Kono NZ’s export only brand, Kono Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2014.
“The USA is our largest export market, and we’re steadily growing our presence there. These top accolades will certainly help us keep brand building in Texas,” Dan Taylor, Kono Export Manager – Beverages.
