The 2009 Waipara Hills Central Otago Pinot Noir featured as the Wine of the Week in the UK national paper, Saturday Express.
Selected as a wine to enhance the flavours of the featured French...
Accolades
In our short history we have received more than 200 awards – proof that we are living up to our self-imposed high standards. From the Air New Zealand awards in our home country to the International Wine Challenge in the UK, our achievements reflect the broad appeal of our wines. To view a full list of our accolades, please select the relevant wine of interest below.
Our Accolades
Waipara Hills Waipara Chardonnay 2010
Silver - Royal Easter Show Wine Awards 2011 (NZ)
Bronze - Spiegelau International Wine Competition 2011 (NZ)
Gold/Top 50 - New World Wine Awards 2011 (NZ)
Pure Bronze - Bragato Wine Awards 2011 (NZ)
86 Points - Wine Advocate, Lisa Perroti-Brown 2011
Waipara Hills Waipara Valley Riesling 2010
Silver - Royal Easter Show Wine Awards 2011 (NZ)
Bronze - IWC International Wine Challenge 2011 (UK)
"Full of tasty flavours, this is a crowd pleaser yet classically expressed with apple and citrus flavours. The palate is succulent and flowing with a lingering dry finish." Sam Kim, Wine Orbit magazine.
"A more medium style of riesling, with a whack of melon and star jasmine on the nose and a beautifully ripe palate, soft as a down mattress, but built around a nice acid spine. As slinky as a sack of snakes." Don Kavanagh, Thirst Magazine
86 Points - Wine Advocate, Lisa Perroti-Brown 2011
Waipara Hills Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2010
Silver - Japan Wine Show 2011
Gold - Mundus Vini Great International Wine Show (Germany)
Gold - New Zealand International Wine Competition 2010
Pure Silver - Air New Zealand Wine Awards 2010
Silver - Wrest Point Royal Hobart International Wine Show 2010
Bronze - IWC International Wine Challenge 2011 (UK)
Commended - Decanter World Wine Awards 2011 (UK)
Gold/Top 50 - New World Wine Awards 2011 (NZ)
4 Stars - What Food What Wine 2011 (UK) Matched with Smoked Salmon
87 Points - Wine Advocate, Lisa Perroti-Brown 2011
Waipara Hills Waipara Valley Pinot Gris 2010
86pts /4 stars "It's youthful and vibrant on the nose with lifted aromas of stonefruit, pear and floral. The palate is ripe and nicely weighted with lovely softness and subtle sweetness leading to a lingering crisp dry finish. A well harmonised and balanced wine showing great drinking appeal." Sam Kim, Wine Orbit
Silver - Royal Easter Show Wine Awards 2011 (NZ)
Commended - IWC International Wine Challenge 2011 (UK)
Pure Bronze - Bragato Wine Awards, 2011 (NZ)
Silver - New World Wine Awards 2011 (NZ)
88 Points - Wine Advocate, Lisa Perroti-Brown 2011
Waipara Hills Waipara Gewurztraminer 2009
84pts "The nose is varietal, displaying peach, tropical fruit and floral characters with a hint of spice. It's ripe and smooth on the palate with a juicy mouthfeel and gentle acidity leading to a fruity finish." Sam Kim, Wine Orbit
Waipara Hills Waipara Valley Pinot Noir 2009
Silver - Japan Wine Show 2011
Elite Gold - Air New Zealand Wine Awards 2010
Gold - Wrest Point Royal Hobart International Wine Show 2010
Bronze - IWC International Wine Challenge 2011 (UK)
Highly Commended - Sydney International Wine Competition 2011
Commended - Decanter World Wine Awards 2011 (UK)
83pts "Moderately light Pinot Noir with strawberry and cherry flavours plus a seasoning of herbs. Simple, easy-drinking wine at a good price." Bob Campbell, Master of Wine
Waipara Hills Central Otago Pinot Noir 2009
Gold - Royal Easter Show Wine Awards (NZ) 2011
Bronze - Air New Zealand Wine Awards 2010
Commended - Decanter World Wine Awards 2011 (UK)
Commended - IWC International Wine Challenge 2011 (UK)
4.5 out of 5 Stars - Winestate Magazine, July/August Issue (Australia)
90 Points - "From one of New Zealand's best areas for pinot, this has dark cherry and plum fruit on the nose and palate, with some spice and earthy, savoury characters and a silky finish. Try it with duck of game dishes over the next five years". Mike Frost, Courier Mail. Brisbane Circulation.
"Rich cherry fruit, a little like jam, only not so sweet along with spice and some earthy beetroot flavours. It's medium bodied but envelopes you with a big hug of Central Otago generosity tinged with a little bitterness via dried herbs and bitter chocolate. Balanced acidity and alcohol with fine tannin and a long dry finish. Goes long on drinking satisfaction and value. It's the sort of wine you can easily settle in for the nigh with, if you take my meaning." Garry Walsh, The Wine Front
"Fullish red, slight purple. Plum skin and cherry pip aromas, sweet fruit palate with fresh acidity and nice energetic presence. Some grip, albeit light and balanced. Slightly tadpole shaped but appealing flavours" 89 pt review HuonHooke.com
Waipara Hills Central Otago Pinot Noir 2010
Silver - Spiegelau International Wine Competition 2011 (NZ)
3 Stars - What Food What Wine 2011 (UK) matched with Mushroom Risotto
4 Stars - Cuisine Magazine 2011 (NZ). "Sweet rhubarb and raspberry flavours, together with a fresh spearmint note, take the top register; below that there's a tannic and toasty oak rumble. Pretty yet powerful, this wine is made in a commercial style and should have wide appeal. Bring in out alongside a classic coq au vin".
Highly Commended - Sydney International Wine Competition 2012
Waipara Hills Waipara Valley Pinot Noir 2010
Bronze - New Zealand International Wine Show, 2011 (NZ)
Pure Bronze - Bragato Wine Awards, 2011 (NZ)
Bronze - Spiegelau International Wine Competition 2011 (NZ)
Silver - New World Wine Awards 2011 (NZ)
4 Stars & Best Buy - Cuisine Magazine 2011 (NZ)
"The lovely brambly, spicy quality that Waipara does so well is all here for a very reasonable price. Notes of boiled sweets ring out with juicy clarity, held together by a good acidic spice. A garlicky meatball dish would be just the ticket"
86 Points - Wine Advocate, Lisa Perroti-Brown 2011
Waipara Hills Waipara Valley Riesling 2011
Bronze - International Aromatic Wine Competition 2011 (NZ)
Waipara Hills Waipara Valley Pinot Gris 2011
Bronze - International Aromatic Wine Competition 2011 (NZ)
Waipara Hills Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2011
Silver - New Zealand International Wine Show 2011
4 Stars - Winestate Magazine
Bronze - International Aromatic Wine Competition 2011 (NZ)
Pure Bronze - Air New Zealand Wine Awards 2011 (NZ)
Waipara Hills Marlborough Cuvee
4 ½ Stars - “Sure to find favour with those seeking a really different sparkling wine” Cuisine Magazine, NZ & International Sparkling Tasting 2010
Bronze - New World Wine Awards 2010
Waipara Hills Southern Cuvee
Bronze - New World Wine Awards 2010 (NZ)
Bronze - Liquorland International Wine Competition 2010 (NZ)
3 out of 5 Stars - Cuisine Magazine NZ International Sparkling Tasting 2010 (NZ)
87pts / 4 Stars - "A nicely balanced and attractive sparkling wine displaying gentle aromas of citrus, apple and floral notes. The palate is lively and smooth with lovely fruit intensity and balanced acidity. A well rounded and appealing wine with a refreshing finish. $22.00 Moderate availability. 12% Traditional sparkling cork. www.waiparahills.co.nz. Feb 2011." Sam Kim - Wine Orbit www.wineorbit.co.nz
Waipara Hills Equinox Waipara Riesling 2010
4 Stars (90/100) "Selectively hand-picked fruit in pursuit of a Spatlese style. Concentrated, ripe Riesling with stone fruit, lime/citrus and mineral flavours plus a suggestion of yeast lees characters. Rich and quite warming wine with great mouthfeel and a good balance of fine, fruity acidity that promotes a medium/dry finish. Stylish wine with tension and energy." Bob Campell, Master of Wine
Pure Silver - Air New Zealand Wine Awards 2010
Silver - Royal Easter Show Wine Awards 2011 (NZ)
4.5 out of 5 Stars - Winestate Magazine 2011 (AUSTRALIA)
4 Stars (out of 5) "Lime, Pacific Rose apple and nectarine notes sneak through on the nose and one sip releases a wave of clean acidity, intense citrus, honeysuckle and lemon verbena flavours. Utra-crisp and enduring on the finish - it's lovely with Chinese lemon chicken." Yvonne Marie Lorkin
Silver - New Zealand International Wine Show Results, 2011 (NZ)
Bronze - International Aromatic Wine Competition 2011 (NZ)
Bronze - Spiegelau International Wine Competition 2011 (NZ)
Bronze - Canberra International Riesling Challenge 2011
88 Points - Wine Advocate Lisa Perroti-Brown
Waipara Hills Equinox Waipara Pinot Noir 2009
"The nose is Delicious and attention seeking, youthful yet has a sense of maturity about it - lovely dried herbs and light red fruits especially red and black cherry. Mild+ to medium intensity of oak with gentle spices and complexity.The palate, Dry, with immediate intensity of fruit and oak, great balance and individuality, mild to medium spices and tannins. While still very youthful and with at least 4 to 5 years careful cellaring ahead this wine is immediately drinkable as well, a rare find, is very well made with a lovely balance. 5 BIG Stars." Cameron Douglas, Master Sommelier
Pure Gold - Air New Zealand Wine Awards 2010
Gold - Decanter World Wine Awards 2011 (UK)
Gold - Wrest Point Royal Hobart International Wine Show 2011
4.5 out of 5 Stars - Winestate Magazine July/August Issue 2011 (Australia)
"A silken mouthfiller from Canterbury that is great buying at about $30 a bottle. Drink now or later." Warren Barton, Southland Times
"A Lovely Pinot with alluring aromas of cherry, spice and mushroom. The palate is finely poised, with persistent mouthfulling flavours supported by subtle oak and a smooth texture" #9 in the Glengarry Top 10, April Wineletter
Bronze - New Zealand International Wine Show, 2011 (NZ)
Pure Silver - Bragato Wine Awards, 2011 (NZ)
Bronze - Royal Easter Show Wine Awards 2011 (NZ)
Gold - Spiegelau International Wine Competition 2011 (NZ)
89 Points - Wine Advocate, Lisa Perroti-Brown 2011
93 Points - Reviewed in Wine Companion (Australia) 2011
"Rich and ripe blackberry pastille and toasty oak bouquet, with some herbal nuances providing complexity, the palate is rich and dense, but red fruits come through providing contrast to the raw power on show; muscular and tannic, but not at all heavy, long and expansive to conclude".
Waipara Hills Equinox Waipara Pinot Gris 2010
91pts / 4.5 stars "The beautifully perfumed bouquet shows stonefruit, mango, and floral notes with a touch of spice. The palate is succulent and richly textured with excellent mid palate weight and nicely integrated acidity. A dry Pinot Gris, and it's full of lush fruit and tasty flavours." Sam Kim, Wine Orbit
4 out of 5 Stars - Winestate Magazine (Australia)
Bronze - New Zealand International Wine Show, 2011 (NZ)
89 Points - Wine Advocate Lisa Perroti-Brown
Waipara Hills Equinox Waipara Pinot Gris 2007
Gold - Liquorland International Top 100, 2008 (NZ)
Gold - AWC Vienna International Wine Challenge, 2008
Blue Gold - Sydney International Wine Competition 2009 (Australia)
Silver & Best in Class - IWSC The International Wine and Spirit Competition, 2009 (UK)
Waipara Hills Equinox Waipara Riesling 2007
5 Stars out of 5 - Cuisine Magazine, 2007 (NZ)
Silver & Best in Class - IWSC The International Wine & Spirit Competition, 2008 (UK)
Silver - AWC Vienna International Wine Challenge, 2008 (UK)
Silver - Air New Zealand Wine Awards, 2008 (NZ)
