Central Otago vineyard Amisfield has been named the NZ Organic Wine Awards Organic Winery of the Year for 2020.
In its seventh year, the NZ Organic Wine Awards had entries from more than 40 vineyards in 2020 with Pinot Noir being the largest varietal class, followed by Sauvignon Blanc. Forty-six Gold, 49 Silver and 52 Bronze medals were awarded.
Two of Amisfield’s wines – the Breakneck Reserve Pinot Noir 2017 and Lowburn Terrace Riesling 2019 – also received Champion Status.
Amisfield says Winning Winery of the Year marks a significant step in its journey to fully organic certification which began in 2015.
The 93ha single-estate vineyard, located in the Pisa sub-region of Central Otago has had an “in conversion” status since Autumn 2016.
“This is an irrefutable confirmation that making the strategic decision to embrace organic practices in both the vineyard and winery was the right thing to do,” says Amisfield CEO, Craig Erasmus.
“We see organic agriculture and winemaking as a matter of integrity and a necessity in today’s world.
“When we made the choice to convert to organics over five years ago, we did so because we believed, as responsible custodians, it was in the best interest of this land and integral to building an intergenerational family wine business.
“If we really wanted our wines to be an authentic expression of our place, then an organic approach was the only way forward,” he says.
Other big awards included the NZ Organic Wine Awards ‘Wine of the Show’ which was given to Peregrine Pinot Gris 2019 and the NZ Organic Wine Awards ‘Sustainable Winery of the Year’ which was awarded to Greystone/Muddy Water.
For a full list of winners, click here.
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