Giesen Group awarded New Zealand Winery of the Year 2018

Marlborough’s Giesen Group has been awarded New Zealand Winery of the Year 2018 and four Gold Medals at the fifth Melbourne International Wine Competition (MIWC).

MIWC is judged by wine buyers, sommeliers, hotel beverage directors, distributors and importers. The panel tasted more than 1000 wines from around the world to determine the winners.

Giesen Group’s Melbourne International Wine Competition awards included:

• New Zealand Winery of the Year

• Ara Wines, Ara Single Estate Chardonnay 2016; Double Gold 96 points

• Giesen Estate Marlborough Giesen Estate Pinot Gris 2017; Gold 94 points

• Giesen Estate Marlborough Giesen Estate Riesling 2016; Gold 94 points

• Giesen Estate Marlborough Giesen Small Batch Sauvignon Blanc 2016; Gold 93 points

A spokesman for Giesen noted: "Giesen is one of Australia’s top five white wine producers. Being awarded New Zealand Winery of the Year 2018 means it now has an official trophy to support what Australian wine lovers know – Giesen wines taste great and punch above their weight in terms of value.

"Giesen Group is proud owner of Ara Wines, a brand which more Australians are falling in love with. Ara is enjoying double-digit growth across the Australian market. Ara’s popularity is reflected in the prestigious Double Gold awarded to Ara Single Estate Chardonnay 2016 at the MIWC."

Giesen Chief Winemaker Nikolai St George (pictured above) described his Double Gold-winning Ara Single Estate Chardonnay 2016 as: "Intensely flavoured wine that really amplifies the remarkable Wairau Valley story. It’s a complex, creamy Chardonnay with distinctive tropical characters coming from the Rapaura block and a bright, citrus acidity from the Woodbourne vineyards.”