rivettingKateTaylor

I knew there was a reason I love drinking Junction Winery’s pinot noir. It’s good!!!

The Junction Body and Soul Pinot Noir 2011 won best pinot noir at the Hawke’s Bay Mercedes Benz Wine Awards last night.

The Junction, is actually a junction…. John and Jo Ashworth have a sheep farm interspersed with vines (kind of) on and near the corner of State Highway Two and SH50 at Takapau in Central Hawke’s Bay, just down the road from me (actually as the crow flies just a farm away!)

This is actually a photo I took of John and Jo for a Suffolk sheep story for the DomPost a few years ago! I cropped the sheep out 🙂

Over 400 wine lovers attended the spectacular awards night set in the Waikoko Gardens at the Hawke’s Bay Showgrounds (the HB Show starts today – just in time for the wind to hit).

The Esk Valley Winemakers Reserve Gimblett Gravels Syrah 2010 won Champion Wine of Show with Sacred Hill Brokenstone 2010 (a merlot-dominant red blend, according to the press release).

The Winery of the Year was Ash Ridge Wines. I believe Junction was also in line for Cellar Door of the Year but that honour went to the much grander Sileni Estates. Bigger isn’t always better – the Ashworths are very hospitable 🙂

Anyway – congratulations John and Jo and winemaker son Leith, you should be very proud. I shall open my next bottle of Junction pinot noir with renewed enthusiasm (as if more was needed!)