The maiden vintage of The Oak Valley Blend 2004, released late last year, has won a Gold Medal and the International Trophy in the Red Bordeaux Blend over £10 category at the annual Decanter World Wine Awards.  Decanter, published in England, is one of the leading wine magazines in the world.

In judging these wines Decanter focuses primarily on regionality.  In a preamble to the Awards they state, "The Decanter World Wine Awards celebrate the diversity of wine by focusing on regional styles and the influence on terroir.  Wines are judged on a regional level to promote a sense of origin over international homogenised styles.  Whether your wine is red, white, rosé, still, sparkling, sweet or fortified, they will all be tasted in regional flights in the first round to find outstanding examples of their type.  If successful they will move forward to compete for in International Trophy".

Last year the Oak Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2005 won the Regional Trophy for Sauvignon Blancs under £10, and was runner up for the International Trophy in this category.  Pieter Visser, winemaker at Oak Valley, will be off to London to attend the awards ceremony on September 4th to receive the Regional Trophy for The Oak Valley Blend 2004, and perhaps the International Trophy as well!