Hawke's Bay's prestigious wine awards launched

Squawking Magpie Wines Gavin Yortt, Bayleys general manager Gary Brooks, chairman judge Rod Easthope, A and P Society president Richard Chambers and awards committee chairman Max Morton. Photo/Paul Taylor.

Last year's trophy wines flowed as the 2017 Hawke's Bay A and P Bayleys Wine Awards was launched last night.

Sponsors and industry representatives gathered at the Red Barrell in Havelock North to celebrate, promote and identify excellence in Hawke's Bay's wine-making.

Squawking Magpies owner Gavin Yortt, whose "brainchild" the inaugural awards were, was thanked last night for his service on the committee from 2000-16.

Mr Yortt said the awards started off as a dream in the late 90s but it wasn't until he joined with committee chairman Max Morton that the dream kicked into gear.

"I wanted an event that would celebrate Hawke's Bay wines but knew I needed a vehicle and felt the A and P society was perfect for that.

"Max and I then went to the CEO and president at the time and were told it was a good idea but we needed money."

Mr Yortt managed to rally together $100,000 in a short period of time with Mercedes-Benz as the primary sponsor.

"What started off as a cocktail party with 150 entries 17 year ago has now grown to a dinner and awards with in excess of 400 entries.

"It is such a great event and this year there will be predominantly 2015-16 wines, which were both excellent vintages."

This year's chairman of the judges is winemaker and owner of Easthope Family Winegrowers Rod Easthope.

Mr Easthope said he had been lucky to judge at many wine shows in New Zealand and abroad, and it was fair to say that these awards were the most exciting to be involved in.

"The sheer diversity of wines from our vast region of differing soils and micro-climates make for two full days of fascinating evaluation."

Mr Easthope said there were two prime roles of a wine show, firstly to recognise the region's best wines and secondly to help promote the region's best to the wine-loving public here and in the export markets.

"I look forward to building on the innovations that Warren Gibson introduced last year, such as the Provenance Class.

"The Provenance Class is a great way of letting the world know that Hawke's Bay produces wine with the poise and quality to sit alongside the international classics."

Bayleys is the primary sponsor, and managing director East Coast Gary Brooks said out of all of its sponsorship around New Zealand this was where it got more bang for its buck.

"Sponsoring the awards is all part of the blend and the standard gets higher each year."

Hawke's Bay A and P Society business development manager Hillary Riches said, in acknowledging all sponsors associated with these awards, recognising the significance and credibility that the awards hold for the wine industry and consumers both nationally and worldwide was important.

"Without their commitment these awards wouldn't be possible."

Hawke's Bay A and P Society president Richard Chambers was looking forward to the event at the end of the year and was expecting it to be another "cracker".

• Entries open on July 1 and the awards dinner will be held on October 17 in Waikoko Gardens at the Hawke's Bay Showgrounds. Tickets will be on sale from August 1. For more information contact Riches on 0272588784.