Mission to claim more golds proves successful

Mission Estate Winery has won four double gold medals and a gold in Hong Kong. Photo / File

The almost-perfect 2013 wine vintage has again proved a hit at international awards.

Mission Estate Winery has picked up four double gold medals and a gold at the recent China Wine and Spirits Awards in Hong Kong.

The winery bagged double golds for its 2013 Pinot Noir, Cabernet Merlot, Reserve Cabernet Merlot and Reserve Syrah - with the gold going to the 2013 Gewurztraminer.

The golds added to the two won at the Royal Easter Show Awards for the 2013 Reserve Cabernet Merlot and Reserve Syrah.

Mission also took away three silvers and three bronzes across both competitions.

Mission Estate chief executive officer Peter Holley said it was rewarding to see the company's winemaking passions recognised in New Zealand and overseas, particularly in the growing and important China market.

Winemaker Paul Mooney said the company still used "many of the original philosophies that Brothers applied to making Mission wines" and this would always be something it would continue to do. "The awards are recognition of a fantastic 2013 vintage," he said.

There was also success at the Easter awards staged in Auckland for Esk Valley's Hawke's Bay Rose 2014.

The win delighted winemaker Gordon Russell who has made rose since 1991 and had seen a string of accolades emerge for it year after year.

It had become a speciality of Mr Russell who said he worked to create a rose which had the "wow" factor and the latest award reinforced that.