Blackenbrook Vineyard in Tasman near Nelson has netted its fourth top wine award within two months. Their 2013 Pinot Gris brought home a gold medal from the well-respected Air New Zealand Wine Awards, after also winning a gold medal and the Trophy for best Pinot Gris at the Bragato Wine Awards 2014. Their 2014 Pinot Gris has already been decorated with gold medals from Bragato Wine Awards 2014 and New Zealand International Wine Show 2014 before its official release in December.
Family owned and run Blackenbrook was one of the first vineyards in the Nelson region to plant Pinot Gris in 2001. Renowned wine commentator Michael Cooper said “Blackenbrook is one of the highest-achieving wineries on the Nelson scene, with a reputation for aromatic white wines – Pinot Gris, Gewürztraminer and Sauvignon Blanc – that are rich and full of personality.”
Pinot Gris always took centre stage in the Blackenbrook vineyard – the best part of their land was planted with the latest clones. “We hand pick the grapes and they’re processed as gently as possible through our gravity-fed sustainable winery. I believe that has a lot to do with the outcome in the glass,” said winemaker Daniel Schwarzenbach.
