A Tasman-grown wine is once again earning national recognition, proving that the region’s sunshine – along with plenty of hands-on care in the vineyard – produces something special.
Seifried Estate has taken home the Champion Sweet Wine Trophy for its Seifried Winemakers Collection Nelson Sweet Agnes Riesling 2024 at the National Wine Awards of Aotearoa New Zealand.
For the Seifried whānau, the win is as much about the land as it is about the bottle.
“We’re so proud of the hard work from our amazing crew here at Seifried Estate in sunny Nelson,” Anna Seifried says.
The Sweet Agnes Riesling takes its name from the family’s founder and matriarch, Agnes Seifried, and is the result of careful vineyard management and timing.
“It’s a gorgeous wine for sipping on, as it receives so much care and attention – from the vineyard right through to winemaking and the finishing touches at bottling,” Anna says.
The grapes for Sweet Agnes are picked late in the season when the fruit is full of natural sweetness.
It’s a delicate process that relies on just the right weather conditions – warm days, cool nights and a bit of luck from Mother Nature.
Each step, from pruning and canopy work through to hand-picking and gentle winemaking, plays a part in creating the wine’s lush flavour.
“It’s always lovely to be recognised for a wine and style that we just love,” Anna says.
The award-winning 2024 Sweet Agnes Riesling will be released in early 2026 – another proud moment for Tasman’s growers and winemakers who continue to put the region on the map.
