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Highfield Elite Gold
9 years on the trot
Highfield Sauvignon Blanc 2007 has just won an elite gold medal in the Air New Zealand Wine Awards 2007.
This most recent gold medal adds to the string of success that Highfield Sauvignon Blanc has enjoyed over the past 9 years. Since Winemaker Alistair Soper's first vintage at Highfield, in 1999, Highfield Sauvignon Blanc has won gold, double gold, blue gold or trophy every single year. When asked what the secret is, Alistair explains: “We respect our fruit and we do two slightly unusual things with our sauvignon blanc; Firstly we only use free run juice (no pressings), and secondly, after fermentation, we let the wine sit on yeast lees for four months to gain a rich and weighty mouth feel. All Highfield wines are made to go well with food, so texture and complexity is everything for us”. The Highfield Sauvignon Blanc 2007, which has just been released, has all the virtues of great Marlborough savvy and it’s a gold medal winner that’s actually available in commercial quantities. Not only is this wine intensely tropical and pungently sweaty, it also has loads of gooseberry, pineapple and mango aromas combined with cut grass and green peppers. The palate is succulent, ripe, with up front fruit and a very smooth, citrus and red currant aftertaste.
The Highfield team is thrilled with this award and the string of sauvignon success over the past 9 years.
Hot off the Press
The lastest issue of Cuisine Magazine has rated Highfield Sauvignon Blanc 2007 in the Top 10 New Zealand Sauvignon Blancs. Featured in 3rd place, the Highfield Sauvignon Blanc scored an impressive 5 stars and is described as 'a full, ripe, round style displaying tropical fruit flavours and an edge of zesty citrus. Sensual, fleshy and charming. Another standout from the winery whose Italianate tower has become a Marlborough icon'.
Sydney Success
Highfield Pinot Noir has been awarded a Blue-Gold medal in the Sydney International Wine Competition. This means that when the wine was judged alongside appropriate food, it was pointed into approximately the top 10% of entries.
In the same competition, the Highfield Sauvignon Blanc 2007 won a Highly Commended award. Translation; the wine was in the top 15% of entries when judged with fitting food.
Al Notes
Highfield goes sustainable
New Zealand has long been famed for its stunning unspoilt landscape. The New Zealand wine industry has earned a reputation for making premium quality wines with true environmental integrity and retains a ‘clean, green’ image worldwide.
Sustainable Vineyards and Wineries, like ours, aim to keep it this way by employing good environmental practices and protecting the environmental integrity of wine production. SWNZ is a holistic approach to grape growing, with a strong focus on soil health. SWNZ enforces strict guidelines that wineries and vineyards must follow and audits are carried out regularly to ensure compliance.
We’re proud to be part of this initiative.
Cheers
Alistair Soper, Winemaker
New Releases
After the 2005 sold out in August, Al finally gave us the go ahead to release the Highfield Pinot Noir 2006. These things take time you know - and one can’t rush the development of fine wine. Highfield Sauvignon Blanc 2007 is also now released so enjoy this elite gold medal winning wine over Christmas and summer.
Something Special
Only 40 cases of these special wines were made and both are available for direct winery sales only.
Highfield Rosé 2007
After the ultra popular Highfield Director’s Cut 2005 Rosé, we decided to make another pure point noir rosé in 2007. Strawberry and cream, liquorice, cherry, berry fruit and confectionary notes are on the nose. The palate has vanilla and oak, is soft and delicate with smooth berry fruit flavours and a touch of spice. A perfect summer wine.
Highfield DT Sauvignon Blanc 2007
First crop sauvignon blanc is renowned for small berries giving great concentration and intense tropical flavours. The Highfield DT Sauvignon Blanc 2007 is no exception. The oak aged sauvignon blanc from Highfield is made from first crop fruit off two separate vineyards. This is not your typical Marlborough savvy. Pineapple, passionfruit, and quince aromas are balanced by subtle oak. It has a slight mealy influence in the mouth with good length and a soft finish.
Marlborough Celebrates in Style
Held over 3 days in October, the ultra lush Marlborough Wine Weekend was a sensational showcase of Marlborough wines to celebrate the new releases.
The Weekend comprised a host of enjoyable and educational events including a gourmet dinner by Martin Bosley with soulful entertainment from Sarah Brown, a supper club by Chris Fortune with live jazz from Twinset, grand tastings with a hilarious and impressive panel of Bob Campbell MW, Stephen Bennett MW, Peter McCombie MW and Ralph Kyte-Powell, a riesling rendezvous and a sparkling Marlborough Sounds cruise.
We’ll let you know as tickets go on sale for the next one.
Restaurant News
We are delighted with the new appointment of Highfield’s Executive Chef Matt Gibson.
Marlborough born and breed, Matt’s career has spanned almost 20 years. Cooking in various ski resort areas fed his passion for both food, wine and outdoor pursuits. He has now returned home to settle down. Matt has a real passion and commitment to fresh local produce, paired with interesting modern combinations and food/wine matches. After a couple of weeks finding his feet around Highfield’s kitchen, Matt has changed the menu for summer. We have a fabulous new menu full of Marlborough’s seasonal produce; Wild boar, Sounds Scallops, plus the legendary Highfield antipasto platters are back with Matt’s personal touch.
Art Exhibition
Marlborough Artists Maz and Greig Pilkington are opening their exhibition at Highfield on Saturday 8 December 6.30pm. All welcome
It’s a Riesling Renaissance
Your Christmas Treat
Rekindle your respect for riesling - the most under-rated wine variety of all.
Usually above $20 per bottle, we’re offering our special New Zealand field notes customers 6 packs for $60.
Matured at the winery and ready to enjoy now, the Highfield Riesling 2001 has classic lime and mineral notes with a touch of beeswax and floral flavours. A stunning example of an aged, dry riesling from a single vineyard. Great on it’s own or paired with aromatic, spicy dishes and salads. Order online by selecting 'where to buy' at the top of this email.
Have a fabulous Christmas and festive season.
Catch you in the New Year
Naomi and the Highfield team
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