Classic White Wine Trophy Winner, Nov 2007
• In an April 2007 poll of WINE Magazine readers, Hamilton Russell Vineyards Pinot noir was rated most desirable wine in South Africa. It received the highest number of votes when readers were asked what they would purchase with R1500 to spend on any case of any wine.
• In top US Wine Magazine, The Wine Spectator’s – March 7th, 2007 Editors’ choice of the 33 most exciting new releases worldwide, we were proud that both of our wines were included on this list. The Hamilton Russell Vineyards Chardonnay 2006 scored 92/100 (2005 91/100) and the Hamilton Russell Vineyards Pinot noir 2005 scored 91/100 (2004 90/100)
• Our Pinot noir 2005 was chosen by Wine Spectator for the Critic’s Choice Grand Tasting at the New York Wine Experience held in October 2007, featuring the World’s best wines.
• In the annual Saveur 100 in the February 2007 issue of top US gourmet magazine - Saveur - Hamilton Russell Vineyards was included as one of the 100 best things of the year. Their list - the 9th so far - includes foods, restaurants, drinks, people, places and "things" and "celebrates the things that make our lives richer". Hamilton Russell Vineyards was the only wine on the list and was listed under the heading "Most Burgundian Winery Outside Burgundy"
• Hamilton Russell Vineyards was chosen by top UK Wine Merchant, Berry Brothers, for inclusion in their book - “Bloodlines and Grapevines†- covering the 20 leading family owned wine properties in the world
• Both our Pinot noir and Chardonnay were among only 17 wines out of more than 5000, awarded 5 stars in the 2005 John Platter Guide – the first time a producer has received 5 stars for everything they make.
• Hamilton Russell Vineyards was rated 2nd best winery in the country out of over 550 wineries, by a panel of 24 wine experts in the December 2006 issue of Grape.
• The March 2007 issue of Decanter (a top UK wine magazine) lists the “standout wines†from the 100 leading international producers chosen for their annual Decanter Fine Wine Encounter. Hamilton Russell Vineyards Chardonnay was one of the 8 standout white wines of the show
• Hamilton Russell Vineyards was the winner of the Trophy for the Best Pinot noir in the World at the 2003 International Wine and Spirit Competition – the first time a South African Pinot noir has won the trophy.
• Hamilton Russell Vineyards Chardonnay was rated Best South African White Wine with a track record,
by a panel of 26 South African experts (winewriters, judges, sommeliers and retailers) for Grape’s October – December 2003 issue.
• Hamilton Russell Vineyards Chardonnay was rated one of the Top 20 Chardonnays in the world
(the only South African Chardonnay on the list) by Anthony Rose for Harpers in the UK – July 2001
• Hamilton Russell Vineyards Chardonnay was the only South African wine served to (then) President Mandela at Buckingham Palace. Both the Hamilton Russell Vineyards Chardonnay and Pinot noir were also chosen to be served at his last public appearance in Monaco at a charity event hosted by Prince Albert.
• Hamilton Russell Vineyards Chardonnay was rated (3rd year running) Best White Wine of the Show at the 8th Rand Merchant Bank WineX Festival (South Africa’s largest consumer wine show) by the over 14 000 wine enthusiasts attending the show in Johannesburg.
• Hamilton Russell Vineyards Chardonnay 2007 was the winner of the White Wine Trophy at the Classic Wine Trophy Award.