Welcome to the Hawke's Bay A&P Mercedes-Benz Wine Awards 2008.

This, the only fully regional wine awards, continued in 2007 to attract the best of Hawke's Bay Wines and produced a range of winners the region's wine makers can be justifiably proud of. We expect the 2008 competition to again live up to that standard.

Entries are restricted to wines with at least 85% Hawke's Bay fruit, which reflects international trends that see competitions adopting a more regional approach where judges are able to concentrate on the specific qualities of that region. The flights of wines are smaller and more specialized, allowing their distinctive regional traits to shine.

With this show, judges are able to select the very best from the Hawke's Bay region without distraction from influences of wines made from grapes from other regions.

Judging will take place in the Sensory Laboratory at EIT Hawke's Bay, on Monday and Tuesday 29th and 30th September 2008. The regions finest wines will be presented with their trophies at the awards night to once again be held be held in a marquee in the Waikoko Gardens at the Hawke's Bay Showgrounds.

12th September 2008

Wine entries close

Late Entries accepted until 19th September 2008 (50%) late entry fee added on.

12th September 2008

Last date of receipt of entered wines to Craggy Range

Late Entry wines will be accepted until 19th September 2008

Any wine received after this date will not be judged

29th & 30th September 2008

Judging at EIT Winery

21st October 2008

Awards Night Dinner

Waikoko Gardens, Hawke's Bay Showground's, Hastings