More Magic from Stoneleigh Rapaura Series wines
March 2008

Stoneleigh senior winemaker, Jamie Marfell, is thrilled with the recent trophy win for Stoneleigh Rapaura Series Pinot Gris 2007 at the 55th Royal Easter Show Wine Awards 2008. Stoneleigh Rapaura Series Pinot Gris 2007 was awarded the Champion Pinot Gris Trophy and Stoneleigh Rapaura Series Pinot Noir 2006 also won gold, topping off a magical year of awards and accolades for Stoneleigh’s premium range of wines.

Crafted by Stoneleigh senior winemaker, Jamie Marfell, these award winning wines are known for their intense fruit flavours and greater complexity. The wines utilise fruit grown in the heart of the Rapaura district where the concentration of “sunstones” is greatest and the resulting wine is at maximum intensity.

“Pinot Gris is on the crest of a wave and has taken New Zealand by storm. A decade ago you would have struggled to find any in the vineyards but now it’s New Zealand’s third most planted white grape variety. The reason for the popularity of Pinot Gris is simple I think…it tastes as good as it smells!” says Jamie Marfell.

Stoneleigh is named after the unique terroir in Marlborough where the vines are grown. Located on the northern side of the Wairau Valley in close proximity to Marlborough’s main river (the “Wairau”), the vignerons have located the vineyards on deep, infertile, gravel beds covered in smooth “sunstones”.

Stoneleigh Rapaura Series Pinot Gris 2007 - Champion Pinot Gris Trophy
The 2007 vintage has provided quality components to blend our prestigious style of Stoneleigh Rapaura Series Pinot Gris. Warm and dry climatic conditions over late summer and early autumn allowed us to extend the hang time of the fruit on the vine enabling it to reach maximum flavour intensity. This level of fruit quality has made a wine with true balance, aromatic finesse and palate richness, the hallmarks of premium Pinot Gris.
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Recent awards and accolades for Stoneleigh Rapaura Series wines include;
Stoneleigh Rapaura Series Pinot Gris 2007
Champion Pinot Gris Trophy Royal Easter Show Wine Awards 2008
Gold medal winner Royal Easter Show Wine Awards 2008
Gold medal winner International Aromatic Wine Competition 2007
Best Pinot Gris International Aromatic Wine Competition 2007
Silver medal winner Air New Zealand Wine Awards 2007

Stoneleigh Rapaura Series Pinot Noir 2006
Champion Pinot Noir Trophy Liquorland Top 100 Wine Competition 2007
Gold medal winner Liquorland Top 100 Wine Competition 2007
Gold medal winner Royal Easter Show Wine Awards 2008
Gold medal winner New Zealand International Wine Show 2007
Cuisine Pinot Noir Tasting Nov/Dec 2007 awarded 5 stars, top 10 and best buy

Stoneleigh Rapaura Series Sauvignon Blanc 2007
Gold medal winner New Zealand International Wine Show 2007
Gold medal winner Liquorland Top 100 Wine Competition 2007
Gold medal winner International Aromatic Wine Competition 2007
Silver medal winner Air New Zealand Wine Awards 2007

For further information contact Cathy McKeown, Public Relations Manager,
cathy.mckeown@pernod-ricard-nz.com or phone: 027 336 8370. High resolution images available on request.

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