Mondillo scoops top awards at prestigious wine show
Mondillo Vineyard in Bendigo, Central Otago has scooped all the top prizes for its 2008 Pinot Noir in the country’s oldest, most respected wine competition.
The run of accolades began earlier this month when the wine was awarded a gold medal in the Royal Easter Show Wine Awards 2010.
Last weekend (Saturday, March 20) at the Royal Easter Show Wine Awards 2010 gala dinner, after picking up the Trophy for Champion Pinot Noir, the tiny Bendigo vineyard swept aside 1517 wines from around the country as its 2008 Mondillo Central Otago Pinot Noir was named Champion Wine of Show.
Mondillo Vineyards owners Domenic and Ally Mondillo were at the glittering black tie event hosted by Vic Williams at Auckland’s ASB showgrounds to collect their trophies.
“Things just got better and more exciting as the evening progressed,” said Domenic. “Firstly the gold medal, then receiving the trophy for Champion Pinot Noir was pretty awesome. But to receive the ultimate accolade as Champion Wine of Show was extraordinarily flattering.
“It is amazing for us to be recognised by the industry. Mondillo wine is a true reflection of the hard work of our passionate vineyard crew and the team at Quartz Reef winery. To go into the 2010 harvest with these awards and trophies on the mantelpiece is just fantastic.”
While Mondillo Vineyards is a small and relatively new vineyard, Domenic Mondillo is no ‘new kid on the block’. A viticulturist and veteran of 29 vintages who has grown wine in Central Otago for the past 18 years, he and wife and business partner Ally Mondillo established Mondillo Vineyards on three sunny terraces at Bendigo in 2001.
The vineyard has produced six vintages, the first in 2004, each picking up awards and delivering a loyal global following.
The Mondillos believe site selection is critical to great wine and that their ‘extremely special’ 12 hectares in Bendigo combine with minimal human intervention to create beautiful wines. The 2009 vintage is due for release in June 2010.
“Great wine is grown in the vineyard and then made with minimal intervention,” said Domenic.
“Mondillo is about growing fantastic grapes in a way that is sustainable on all levels, especially environmentally. The vines will outlive us all. It’s very important to me to maintain the vines in a sustainable way.”
Next on the agenda for Mondillo Vineyards is the 2010 harvest, which Domenic said is shaping up nicely.
“It’s been a hot and dry summer in Bendigo. The fruit is in great shape and tastes fantastic and we’re gearing up to start our harvest just after Easter.”
The multi trophy winning champion wine is currently being served on Air New Zealand international flights to business class passengers, is sold in top restaurants around Queenstown and in the USA including The French Laundry, and is served at some of the country’s best events by Ruth Pretty Catering.
The wine is made at Quartz Reef in Cromwell. Quartz Reef is headed by Rudi Bauer who was awarded the coveted title of Winemaker of the Year at the same event.
For more information, visit: mondillo.com
