Richard Ellis and his seamless Sauvignon win top award at Sommeliers Choice Awards, U.S.A.
In a remarkable achievement, Alpine Rift Sauvignon Blanc and its talented winemaker Richard Ellis were awarded the prestigious gold medal at the 2024 Sommeliers Choice Awards in the U.S.A. Their winning entry, the refined and elegant Alpine Rift Sauvignon Blanc, impressed judges with its richness and complexity—qualities that are hallmarks of Ellis's innovative winemaking techniques. This honour highlights Alpine Rift’s dedication to excellence and craftsmanship, placing them among the top echelons of the global wine industry. Cheers to Richard Ellis and the entire Alpine Rift team for this well-deserved recognition! 🍷🏅
The Sommeliers Choice Awards, organized by Beverage Trade Network, is an esteemed global competition that assesses wines using five key factors: Food Parability, Typicity, Quality, Value and Packaging.
92 Points, GOLD MEDAL – Sommeliers Choice Awards 2024, USA
Richard Ellis, co-founder of The Marlborist, oversees the winemaking program that is credited with producing some of the finest wines in the region.
The 2023 vintage marks 50 years since the first sauvignon blanc vines were planted in Marlborough. Since then New Zealand has positioned itself as a sauvignon powerhouse, launching onto the world’s wine stage with its distinctive, intensely aromatic expression of this variety. It is also a year which will be remembered for Mother Nature making her presence felt across the country.
Off the back of a very wet winter, the growing season got off to a damp start and these conditions continued through spring to flowering, resulting in moderate yields.
Grey, inclement weather prevailed through the early part of summer, fraying nerves and putting pressure on viticulturists to be vigilant in the face rising disease pressure. Meticulous vineyard management necessitated the removal of leaves around the fruiting zone and green thinning of bunches ensured only clean fruit was left to ripen on the vines.
In February a devastating tropical cyclone ravaged the east coast of the north island leading to the death of 11 people and the destruction of significant areas of vineyards. While tragic for the north, Marlborough dodged this meteorological bullet and as summer progressed sunny, clear skies returned and local winegrowers breathed a collective sigh of relief.
Slow, steady ripening through March enabled the vines to accumulate good levels of flavour and colour.
With the help of friends and family, The Marlborist kicked off harvest on the 19th of March, bringing in 1 ton of chardonnay from the Awatere Valley for sparkling base. The first pinot noir was picked off The Wrekin Vineyard on the 23rd and work continued across the vineyards until the final sauvignon blanc was picked at the Kerry Vineyard in Renwick on the 8th of April.
Despite the challenges in the first half of the season, the wines of 2023 exhibit great concentration, ripeness and structure with a weighty palate that will be a hallmark of the season.
1373 Growing Degree Days (Long Term Average 1244)
358 mm rainfall (Long Term Average 370mm)
Alpine Rift 2023 Sauvignon Blanc is available for purchase in our e-shop
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