Welcome to the Hawke’s Bay A&P Mercedes-Benz Wine awards 2010.
History of the Hawke’s Bay A&P Mercedes-Benz Wine Awards
The Inaugural awards were the brainchild of Max Morton (Executive Committee Member of the Hawke’s Bay A&P Society and Gavin Yortt (Owner Squawking Magpie Wines). In 2000 Max and Gavin came to the Society with their ideas, the Society agreed to host and sponsor this event which has grown considerably each year. This competition is the only regional wine competition in New Zealand.
The awards are managed by the Hawke’s Bay A&P Society and run by a committee of Wine Industry and Hawke’s Bay A&P representatives.
Main Street European and Mercedes-Benz NZ Ltd have been Principal Sponsors since 2005. In 2009 Mercedes-Benz New Zealand Ltd took over as Principal Sponsor.
The Awards night was initially run as a Cocktail Party and moved to a formal Dinner in 2005. This is held in a spectacular silk lined marquee in the beautiful and historic Waikoko Gardens on the Tuesday night prior to the first day of the Hawke’s Bay Show, October each year. The Awards Dinner attracts a wide representation of everyone involved in the wine industry including wine lovers, wineries, winemakers, wholesalers and retailers as well as the supporting manufacturing, bottling, carryings and technical providers.
This Unique Regional Awards is for wine made with 85% Hawke’s Bay Grapes and attracts entries from over 90% of Hawke’s Bay Wineries which also includes multinational wine makers with vineyards in Hawke’s Bay.
Significant support is given by Eastern Institute of Technology and the organising committee is grateful for the use of the EIT Sensory laboratory, staff and students for hosting the actual judging of the event.
The Committee would like to take this opportunity to thank all the Sponsors for their on-going support, the various Wine Enthusiasts that attend the Awards Dinner. The International and National Judges for giving their time so generously, to judge New Zealand's oldest regional wine show.
COMPETITION DIRECTOR
Nick Sage
Wine Lecturer
Eastern Institute of Technology
CHAIRMAN OF COMMITTEE
Max Morton
CHAIRMAN OF JUDGES
Rod McDonald
WINE ADVISORY PANEL
Tim Turvey Clearview Estate
Nick Sage EIT Wine School
John Hancock Trinity Hill Wines
Gavin Yortt Squawking Magpie
Tony Bish Sacred Hill Wines
Yvonne Lorkin Freelance Wine Writer
JUDGING VENUE
Eastern Institute of Technology School of Wine Sensory Laboratory
Hawke's Bay Wine Awards 
