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Wrights Vineyard and Winery of Gisborne has achieved remarkable success at the Aotearoa Organic Wine Awards 2024, earning 10 medals, including two golds. Their Reserve Chardonnay secured a gold medal, continuing their streak of top honors in this category since their first entry in 2018.

“Our Gisborne Wrights Chardonnay is at the forefront of New Zealand chardonnays. Consistent recognition at these awards is hugely significant for us,” said winemaker Geoff Wright. He emphasized the commitment of organic vineyards to excellence and environmental stewardship, which contributes to climate stability and a habitable planet for future generations.

The winery’s Natural Wine Co Sauvignon Blanc also received a gold medal, standing out as the only North Island sauvignon blanc among the five golds awarded in this category. Wright expressed concern over the trend of Gisborne winegrowers producing sauvignon blanc for the Marlborough region, diluting the unique identity of Gisborne's terroir.

“We hope our win serves as a beacon of hope for our local industry,” Wright said. “Too often our grapes have been blended away into other regions. With Gisborne’s unique climate and soils, we have the ability to excel. Winning gold for the 2023 Natural Wine Co Sauvignon Blanc is particularly exciting, as our region was hit hard by Cyclone Gabrielle during the vintage.”

Wright highlighted the benefits of organic farming, noting that it produces stronger plants and cleaner fruit with less reliance on chemicals. He emphasized the growing global demand for environmentally sustainable, high-quality, chemical-free products, driven by consumers' focus on wellbeing and health.

“Corporations need to support healthier, pesticide-free, herbicide-free, and synthetic chemical fertiliser-free wines. They have a responsibility to help save the planet,” Wright added.

The winery also completed a five-year project to plant natives and restore a saltmarsh waterway at their Manutuke vineyard, in collaboration with the Gisborne District Council and the Women’s Native Tree Project Trust. Wrights Vineyard looks forward to new releases from the 2023 vintage under their Wrights, Love It, and Natural Wine Co brands.

The following Wrights wines received medals:

• Gold: Wrights Reserve Chardonnay 2022 and Natural Wine Co Sauvignon 2023.
• Silver: Wrights Estate Chardonnay 2022.
• Bronze: Wrights Estate Chardonnay 2023, Natural Wine Co Rose 2022, Love It Pinot Rose 2022, Natural Wine Co Sauvignon Blanc 2022, Natural Wine Co Pinot Gris 2022, Love It Pinot Gris 2023, and Wrights Estate Zinfandel 2023.

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