Trinity Hill news

We hope you will enjoy browsing and importantly, ordering your great Trinity Hill wines.
For our overseas readers, there is a list of our wholesale Distributors where you can get information on your nearest Trinity Hill wine stockists.

Check out our opening page frequently as Special Offers will feature there regularly.

With a wide range of wines being released throughout the year, this is where you will hear about them first.
Wine notes feature in a printable format and we have a section for awards and reviews –
to leave you in no doubt that we indeed live up to our title last year of Winemaker of The Year (Winestate magazine), Champion Wine of the 2007 Air New Zealand Wine Awards and many other successes, carrying on our Tradition of Innovation.

The Cellar Door opening hours are 10am - 5pm daily.

Check out our new look Cellar Door with its very smart new Tasting facilities and private Tasting area for groups.
Taste the wide range of award-winning wines, create a "Pick and Mix" picnic basket of wonderful local products, enjoyed with a glass of wine in the beautiful and peaceful gardens, browse the merchandise and if you need your purchases couriered home when it suits - we can arrange that too.
Groups and tours by appointment, please. To arrange, phone (06) 879 7778 or email sales@trinityhill.com .

Trinity Hill becomes International Cover Star

Hawkes Bay winery Trinity Hill will achieve an unprecedented level of international exposure as it graces July's cover of one of the world’s top wine magazines.
A bottle of Trinity Hill’s Homage Syrah features on the cover of Decanter magazine – the world’s number one wine and spirit magazine. Decanter is considered to be the ‘wine bible’ and is read by serious experts and enthusiasts alike.

Trinity Hill’s winemaker John Hancock says it’s a huge honour to feature on the UK-based magazine’s cover.
“Decanter is sold in 92 countries and was last year voted Best International Wine Magazine. Anyone who is passionate about wine reads it, so being on the cover will give us terrific exposure on the world stage.”

In their July feature story, Decanter’s wine experts uncover the New World’s most exciting emerging growing regions and select the wines that best express their unique terroirs.
Hawke’s Bay’s Gimblett Gravels wine region - where Trinity Hill is produced - has been named among the top six growing districts alongside terroirs in California, South Africa, Chile, Argentina and Tasmania.

The editor of Decanter Magazine Guy Woodward says “The bottles chosen for the front cover are always bottles featured in that month’s issue, but we try to ensure that they are also bottles which are recognisable and will appeal to readers, notably in their aspirational element.
“In this instance, Trinity Hill had been recommended by Bob Campbell MW as encompassing the best of Gimblett Gravels, which was chosen as one of the six most exciting New World terroirs in our cover story."

Trinity Hill’s world-wide exposure is well deserved after their Gimblett Gravels Bordeaux blend The Gimblett 2005 outclassed some of the very best French Bordeaux during a blind tasting in New Zealand last October.
Recently in the Financial Times world-famous Master of Wine Jancis Robinson named Trinity Hill’s The Gimblett 2006 as the top value Bordeaux style blend from the three blind tasting events she attended that featured the best of red Bordeaux of 2005. Robinson is also quoted in Decanter’s July edition, saying “the Gimblett Gravels wines tasted [in London] were the closest comparison to the Bordeaux wines of any wine region (in the world) today.”

The Tempranillo adds Royal Easter Wine Show Trophy to list of awards.....
& a large export order to China

The 2007 Trinity Hill Hawkes Bay Gimblett Gravels Tempranillo is described by John Hancock as an "awards magnet."
This outstanding wine has just been awarded the Trophy for Champion Wine of Other Varieties at the Royal Easter Wine Show, a prestigious Blue-Gold from the Sydney International Wine Competition and last November took out the Trophy for best "Alternative Red Varieties and Unspecified or Blended Reds" at the Air New Zealand Wine Awards.
That's quite a mouthful - but then, so is our delicious Tempranillo!

"A fascinating bouquet exhibiting blackberry, game and dried herb notes with a succulent mouthfeel and a firm finish", said the judges.

“It has won awards every year since its release seven years ago. Awards are hugely important to communicating to consumers the prestige of a wine as it gives them the reassurance that they are purchasing a quality wine they can trust. This is vital with a new variety such as Tempranillo,” says Hancock.

"We are thrilled with this weekend’s Gold Medal and Trophy and that it has been selected for Air New Zealand’s upcoming Business Premier cycle" he said last November.
The awards are recognition of the success of this fascinating variety in the unique terroir of the Gimblett Gravels. Because Tempranillo ripens early, the opportunity for consistent high quality from year to year is an absolute reality.

The Tempranillo is exported to China, Australia, the UK and Brazil.
Here's what DrinksBiz magazine wrote in the February 2009 issue:

To order and taste success, click here.

New Zealand International Wine Show 2008

Two wines currently available from the Winery have won Gold Medals, announced early October.
They are the Trinity Hill Gimblett Gravels Hawkes Bay Chardonnay 2006 (another award in a long list for this wonderful wine) and the Hawkes Bay Arneis 2008 - the first Gold for only our second vintage of this uncommon variety in New Zealand. (Only available from the Winery as yet).
Click on the wines to learn more.

Silver Medal winners were the Hawkes Bay Pinot Gris 2008, Gimblett Gravels HB Syrah 2008 (yet to be released from the Winery) and the Gimblett Gravels Noble Viognier 2007 (available in selected retail outlets).

2007 Hawkes Bay Syrah wins Gold at the prestigious International Wine Challenge in the UK this year.
This has to be a great-value-for-money wine, retailing for under $20 and offering Gimblett Gravels fruit from a great vintage. It's rich and soft with blackberries, spice and peppery notes and works well with a variety of meats, especially lamb, but is just as good as a glass on its own too.
Order yours now!

Gimblett Gravels Chardonnay Stars

The 2006 Gimblett Gravels Chardonnay topped the Gourmet Traveller Wine magazine's 100 Top Releases - New Zealand Whites - scoring a stunning 98/100 and 5 Stars.
The judge, Bob Campbell MW, described it as "Intense and complex in a Burgundian style, with impressive mineral, nut and bran biscuit flavours, plus citrus and stone fruit. Beautifully structured with a lingering finish. Classy, well-priced chardonnay."

And Winestate magazine in its Hawkes Bay Regional Tasting 2008 described the Chardonnay as "Classic regional style with rich stone fruit and toasty oak flavours, substantial body, a slightly oily texture and a rich, creamy finish."

To order your guaranteed enjoyment of this stunning wine, Click here.
(Although drinking beautifully now, it will cellar well for another 4 years at least).

New Zealand More Than "Savalanche". High praise for Trinity Hill wines.

So wrote Neal Martin for the influential eRobertParker.com after an extensive tasting tour (over 1,500 wines tasted!) throughout the country during April 2008.

He concluded: "Trinity Hill is one of Hawkes Bay's outstanding producers and one of the country's finest proponents of Syrah. With two 20-hectare holdings in the Gimblett Gravels, chief winemaker and "bluesman" John Hancock along with Warren Gibson and Michael Bell are fashioning dense, powerful yet supremely well-balanced wines that rank amongst the best wines New Zealand produces and come highly recommended".

The 2006 Homage Syrah was singled out for special mentioned in Mr Martin's overview of New Zealand Syrah which he described as "in many cases, utterly beguiling".

The Trinity Hill wines tasted and rated out of 100

2006 Homage Syrah - 95/100 (Outstanding) - and recommended

**2006 Gimblett Gravels Syrah - 93/100 (Outstanding)

2004 Homage Syrah - 91/100 (Outstanding)

2006 Gimblett Gravels Viognier - 90/100 (Outstanding)

2006 High Country Pinot Noir - 89/100 (Above Average)

2006 Gimblett Gravels Chardonnay - 88/100 (Above Average)

**2006 Gimblett Gravels Tempranillo - 87/100 (Above Average)

* 2007 Gimblett Gravels Viognier - 87/100 (Above Average)

**2006 Montepulciano - 86/100 (Above Average)

*This wine is yet to be released ** Out of stock at the Winery

Read the reviews given by clicking on the wine.

We are delighted with the accolades which confirm that your choice of Trinity Hill wines fits with that of the most discerning critics!

Sweet Success for Trinity Hill at the 2008 Royal Easter Wine Show

The Trinity Hill Gimblett Gravels Noble Viognier 2007 was awarded the Riedel Trophy for Champion Sweet Wine at the recent wine show.

Chairman of Judges, Bob Campbell MW, said the sweet wine class was of a high calibre. "New Zealand makes some excellent sweet wines and we were fortunate to see a number of them in this class. However, this wine was a clear winner with its tremendous intensity of flavour, seamless texture and wonderful balance." Commenting on Viognier in general, Mr Campbell said, "The variety appears to have an assured future, particularly in Hawkes Bay".

Trinity Hill's Chief Winemaker & CEO John Hancock said, "While we have achieved recognition right across our range, this is the first for one of our sweet wines. We are really excited to win awards like these for both ourselves and for the region."

In just eleven years of operation, the Winery has won more than 830 awards, testament to the tremendous quality of the wines.

The 2007 Noble Viognier is sold out from the Winery but a new vintage - the 2008 - is available.
To order, click here.

Air New Zealand Wine Awards 2007
Champion Wine of the Show: Trinity Hill Homage Syrah 2006

John Hancock is all smiles with the impressive Trophy for Champion Wine, his 2006 Homage Syrah, described by chairman of the judging panel, Steve Smith MW, as "an iron fist in a velvet glove."
John has taken a great deal of personal interest in this particular wine, recognising its potential to become a New Zealand icon wine, sort-after and savoured for many years to come.
It certainly speaks volumes of the viticulturists' expertise and the "hands-off" approach by the winemakers to produce this extraordinary wine.
Well done, John, Warren Gibson, winemaker, Michael Bell, viticulturist and your teams.
Read the wine notes

A Big Bottle Mystery.

Recently an email arrived requesting information about a very large wine bottle, labelled with the name of a certain, now-failed finance company (no Trinity Hill details). The writer had seen our Big Bottles - did we know anything about it? A bell rang & the detective trail started.
An ex-employee of Trinity Hill had the Methuselah (6 litres of probably 2000 Gimblett Road Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot) labelled as a prize for a company conference. The winner recently put the bottle up for sale on Trade Me. Our correspondent bought it for $20 !!
That works out at around $2.70 per normal 750ml bottle. Great buying!

In a number of ensuing emails which peeled the layers off this story, the writer asked about recommended cellaring time and said he was indeed familiar with the wine.
As it turned out, in 2005 Trinity Hill had sponsored this young man on a 3 month youth exchange, "Ship for World Youth". We offered a number of bottles of the 2000 Cab Sav/Merlot (just 750mls - and labelled!) which were auctioned off on the ship to help victims of the Boxing Day tsunami.

Nice story - what goes around, comes around.
Thank you, Elliot, and enjoy your scoop!!

New Zealand beats Australia at Shiraz for first time
in wine competition’s history.

Trinity Hill Gimblett Gravels Syrah 2006 has become the first New Zealand wine in the 14 year history of the Liquorland Top 100 International Wine Competition to win Champion Shiraz/Syrah. Until this year the trophy for this class has always been won by Australia, famous for their powerful, intense, deeply-coloured wines.

One of the pioneers of growing Syrah in Hawke’s Bay, chief winemaker and director of Trinity Hill, John Hancock, together with his team work hard at perfecting their range of Syrah wines. His methods include low yields of no more than three tonnes to the acre from company-owned vineyards situated on the unique Gimblett Gravels. Purity of fruit and texture are important as is the preservation of vineyard character in the wines, which comes not only from the unique soils but also the number of clones and vineyard blocks involved.
Viognier also plays a part, with a small percentage added just as in the grape variety’s traditional home of the northern Rhone Valley in France. Adding Viognier gives a luscious, yet elegant character to the wine and enhances both complexity and texture.

In addition to winning the trophy for Champion Shiraz/Syrah in a class of over 130 wines, the judges were so impressed that they also awarded it Champion Red Wine. Introduced just this year, together with Champion White Wine, Trinity Hill Gimblett Gravels Syrah 2006 beat over 570 wines to take this title.
In response to the success of this wine, John Hancock comments, “This is a great testament to the quality of our vineyards, our viticultural and winemaking teams and heralds an exciting future for Trinity Hill and the Syrah variety. We have always known we have the potential for great Syrah in the Gimblett Gravels and it’s fantastic to see it recognized – particularly as we were up against some of the best from Australia.”

Trinity Hill produces three Syrah-based wines. Trinity Hill Hawke’s Bay Shiraz, Trinity Hill Gimblett Gravels Syrah and the rare and exclusive Trinity Hill Homage – made only in exceptional years.

Enotria appointed Exclusive Agent
in UK for Trinity Hill

Enotria has been distributing Trinity Hill Wines in the on-trade for 6 years, previously through the agent Laurent-Perrier. Enotria will work closely with Laurent Perrier and co-founders of Trinity Hill, Robyn and Robert Wilson, to ensure a smooth hand over, and will begin as sole importer from 1^st January 2008.

Alison Levett, Enotria’s Chief Executive commented: “This is an exciting opportunity for Enotria because we already know the wines are very well received in the market. Demand for premium New Zealand wines continues to grow both in the on and off trade and this agreement will enable Enotria and Trinity Hill to work together towards future growth in the UK. We are looking forward to working with John Hancock, Trinity Hill's CEO and Winemaker-in-Chief and the Wilsons, and couldn’t wish for better ambassadors of these superb wines”.

Robyn and Robert Wilson responded: "We believe that Enotria is the perfect partner for Trinity Hill. They have a terrific sales team who are highly respected in the trade for their enthusiasm, their professionalism and their ability to deliver. And given their strong working relationship with Laurent-Perrier, we are sure the handover will be seamless."

Website address for Enotria: http://www.enotria.co.uk/

Via Pacifica Selections, based in Sebastopol, California, has become Trinity Hill's importer and marketer.
The company specialises in fine New Zealand wine and beer. David Duckhorn, President of Via Pacifica Selections, released the news from the US:

VIA PACIFICA SELECTIONS ADDS TRINITY HILL TO PORTFOLIO

New Zealand wine exclusively available from U.S. importer

Sebastopol, CA – August 22, 2007 -- Via Pacifica Selections, a Sebastopol-based importer and marketer specializing in premium wines from New Zealand, today announces the addition of wine producer Trinity Hill to the Via Pacifica portfolio.

Trinity Hill, a well-established Hawkes Bay winery and a founding member of the Gimblett Gravels Appellation, produces limited amounts of award-winning wine from one of New Zealand’s most highly-regarded regions.
The unique maritime climate of Hawkes Bay, with its range of microclimates and soil types, allows Trinity Hill to produce a variety of grapes for fine wines, although it is perhaps best known for its Syrahs and Bordeaux-style reds.
Under the guidance of partner and winemaker John Hancock, Trinity Hill produces three labels: Homage, Gimblett Gravels and Hawkes Bay—selections of which are now available exclusively in the U.S. from Via Pacifica Selections.

Via Pacifica will import the following Trinity Hill wines: Homage Syrah ($75), Gimblett Gravels Syrah ($30), Hawkes Bay Syrah ($20), Gimblett Gravels Cabernet/Merlot ($30), Hawkes Bay Trinity Bordeaux-style Blend ($20), and Hawkes Bay Sauvignon Blanc ($16). The wines are available nationally in fine restaurants and wine shops.

“Trinity Hill’s emphasis on quality over quantity is something you can taste in every bottle of wine they produce,” said David Duckhorn, President of Via Pacifica Selections. “The U.S. market is developing a strong palate for the distinctive flavor of New Zealand wines and recognizing the regional differences within the country. With the addition of Trinity Hill to the Via Pacifica portfolio, we continue to bring the best of New Zealand’s wines to the American table.”

Contact David Duckhorn at Via Pacifica Selections
707/823-3320
dd@viapacifica.com

Our Distributors in Singapore, The Cellar Door, have re-invented their website.
Check it out: www.thecellardoor.com.sg
They list a great selection of Trinity Hill wines, as well as other New Zealand wines
and a wonderful selection of deli goods and cheeses.
No wonder the ex-pats love that place!

This wine was chosen to be served at the Awards Dinner for the World's Best 50 Restaurants, held 23 April 2007 at London's Science Museum (of all places). The awards are sponsored by British "Restaurant" magazine and ensure a golden year for those named as winners.
The 2007 winner was Spanish restaurant, El Bulli and the chef / proprietor Ferran Adria.
Also honoured as the recipient of the 2007 Lifetime Achievement award for her crusade for sustainable food was Alice Waters from Chez Panisse in Berkeley, California.
To quote the report: "Waters ... reiterated how important, and yet how rare, it was for so many chefs to meet together and to speak as one vioce for slow food. 'We should do this more often!' Waters concluded, raising her glass of Trinity Hill Pinot Noir."
- The Financial Times, London, 27 April, 2007.

We admire their taste. To order your High Country Pinot Noir, click here.

At the Hawke's Bay A&P Mercedes-Benz Wine Awards 2006, announced on 17th October 2006, Trinity Hill's stars shone. Not only was the 2004 Gimblett Gravels Homage Syrah awarded Champion Wine of the Show after winning a Gold Medal & Trophy in the Syrah class but winemaker, Warren Gibson, was named Winemaker of The Year.

The 2005 Gimblett Gravels Tempranillo won Gold & the Trophy for Premium Red Varieties and four other Gold Medals were awarded to Trinity Hill wines: the Gimblett Gravels Montepulciano 2005, the Gimblett Gravels Viognier 2006, the Gimblett Gravels Syrah 2004 and the Gimblett Gravels Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot 2003.Five Silver Medals were also won: the Gimblett Gravels Merlot 2004, the Gimblett Gravels Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot 2002, the Gimblett Gravels Syrah 2005, the Gimblett Gravels Chardonnay 2005 and the Gimblett Gravels Viognier 2006.This is a great testimony to both the viticultural and winemaking teams.

Over 350 wines from 50 wineries were entered in these, the only true provincial wineawards in New Zealand. (85% of the wine in each bottle much come from Hawke's Bay). As MC, John Hawkesby and Chief Judge Steve Smith MW pointed out, there is no tougher competition than from your peers and neighbours.

Warren's prize includes a stunning, one-off sculptural creation from Hawke's Bay designer, David Trubridge. Well done, Warren and Team - well deserved.