KEY POINTS:
An overseas couple who took a punt about 10 years ago when buying land in Bannockburn for a vineyard are on top of the world after one of their wines won several major awards at the International Wine Challenge in London this week.
Quintin and Avril Quider are heading back to their Wild Earth Wines vineyard in Felton Rd loaded down with silverware after their 2006 vintage pinot noir outmuscled 31 other trophy winners to win the coveted Top International Red Wine award.
The wine was also named top international pinot noir and picked up three other New Zealand and Central Otago trophies in a competition which attracted 10,000 entries worldwide.
The Quiders said yesterday they were delighted. "Central Otago produces so many outstanding wines and this latest trophy simply re-emphasises the incredible potential of wines from our region. The award comes at the perfect moment as we're currently seeking investment capital for expansion," Mr Quider said.
Last year fellow Bannockburn vineyard Bald Hills won the champion red wine trophy at the same awards.
Wild Earth general manager Dave Nicholas said the Quiders, who were in their 40s, had lived in northern California and came to New Zealand on their honeymoon. After looking at properties in the wine-growing areas of Marlborough and Martinborough, they took a "big punt" and chose Felton Rd in Central Otago, establishing their vineyard in 1998. They have added a second vineyard at Lowburn, bringing their total operation to 35ha.
They made about 50,000 bottles of the 2006 pinot noir, which sold out in July when it began winning awards. It retailed for about $40.
- OTAGO DAILY TIMES
