NATIONAL AWARD FOR BOUTIQUE VINEYARD

Every year, renowned New Zealand winewriter Michael Cooper brings out his Buyer’s Guide to New Zealand Wines and this year’s edition has a very special meaning for one boutique Martinborough vineyard.

On the same day that they were advised they had won two Gold Medals and a Silver Medal at the NZ International Wine Show for their red wines, Michael Finucane and Roz Walker of Alexander Vineyard received a very welcome ‘phone call from Michael Cooper.

They learned that they had been given the highly sought after award of producing New Zealand’s

Best Red Wine Buy of the Year for their Alexander Dusty Road Pinot Noir 2018.

Michael and Roz were thrilled by this news particularly when they were told that Cooper had tried over 1,500 other red wines, including more than 1,000 pinot noir wines, before reaching his verdict including the comment that “Alexander’s wines stand out not only for their quality but also for their consistently great value and Dusty Road Pinot Noir is at a quality level that matches many pinot noirs in the $40 – $45 price category.” 

Other wine specialists have long-known about the quality and value provided by Alexander Vineyard with Auckland’s Fine Wine Delivery Company saying that “Dusty Road is always a great Pinot Noir that could well be New Zealand’s best-kept secret.”

The couple produce their wine off their 5 hectare Hinakura Road vineyard in Martinborough with Michael being responsible for viticulture whilst Roz is in charge of winemaking. “It’s just wonderful news for us and helps us feel that the big effort we make to produce our wine is worthwhile when you get national recognition like this.”

Alexander Vineyard’s tiny Cellar Door is only open at weekends until they start vintage, usually at the end of March, but they can expect plenty of visitors in the summer months as wine lovers grab the chance to stock up on a very special wine which is for sale at just $27 a bottle. For those who can’t wait until then, it is also available on their website at www.alexandervineyard.co.nz