Spiegelau International Wine Competition 2011 Trophy Winners

The evening was lovely, beautiful food and wines - the Langham staff did a stirling job, and the opportunity to catch up with industry peers was well enjoyed by everyone. Really nice atmosphere to the evening, and of course those stunning gold medal and trophy wines.

One of the nicest things about these dinners is of course meeting people involved in the industry we haven't met before, as well as seeing old faces.  Two things I just want to comment on here.

Sir George and Lady Gail Fistonich attend almost every wine industry event on the calendar.  They have to be the industry's most ardent supporters and, like royalty, they must have times when they really are over going out to yet another awards dinner or whatever. But turn up they do, looking happy about it, and genuinely seem pleased to be there with their Villa Maria team, and all out supporting the industry. His knighthood is so well deserved, the contribution he makes to the industry is enormous, and when you personally see the down to earth support he gives, how appreciative and kind he is to those involved, you just want to say, "Thank you, Well done."  Not so many other "older" industry faces or names at these things, I have to say, these days...

And, to the other extreme - new faces to the industry.  At our table last night was the lovely Pat from Riwaka Vineyard in Nelson.  She has only been involved 3 years, a tiny (by her own admission) property, pretty run down when she took it over, and she has done most of the hard work herself, physically, and with the help of Phil her trusty viticultural advisor.  Pat's Pinot Noir won a gold medal at the Spiegelau Competition, and she and Phil travelled from Nelson to attend the dinner, and personally go on stage to collect her gold medal certificate.  Talk about Proud Moment - it was quite a thrill to share her joy, success and a glass of her gold medal wine with her, and it reminded me of the good things of the industry of which Paddy and I have been part for more than 30 years. 

And then there was the Riesling and Pinot Gris trophies being awarded to tiny producers - Glasnevin of Waipara for their 2008 Classic Riesling and Red Tussock Marlborough 09 Pinot Gris.  What a thrill for them.

There's so much doom and gloom around at present, it's nice to be reminded of the passion and hard work so many people have, and to share a little of the success and celebrations. 

(And you have to wonder who more local wine people couldn't attend.) Great to see so many distributors too, what a great turn out.

So, whether you're a Sir George with more than 50 years in the NZ wine industry, or a Pat with just a few harvests under her belt, Paddy and I were thrilled to be in such passionate company.

Speaking of which - a Pat, a Patrick and a Paddy at our table - it was a fun night. And, we drank those gorgeous wines out of beautiful type-specific Spiegelau glassware, which added to a sparkling occasion. Thanks to Belinda and Marg, organisers, for your very kind hospitality. Hope all those beautiful Spiegelau decanter trophies got home safely...