Amisfield Winery Bistro has been named as a finalist in the 2009 Cuisine NZ Restaurant of the Year Awards for the third time.
The Lake Hayes restaurant won the best winery restaurant category in 2006 and 2007.
Amisfield Wine Company's general manager, Fleur Caulton, was appointed a regional judge for the awards in 2008, meaning Amisfield Bistro was ineligible for the event.
"We are absolutely delighted to be back in contention this year," Ms Caulton said.
"The Cuisine awards are a significant indicator of how well we are performing on a regional and national scale, and to be named a finalist again is a tribute, particularly to our executive chef Jason Innes, bistro manager Tom Macaulay and all the staff."
The winery restaurant overlooks Lake Hayes.
"At the bistro we have continued the principles of our wine-growing philosophy of grown, not made, and we provide a daily changing menu of fresh, organic and locally sourced produce which complements our award-winning wines."
Judging is under way and panels of expert wine and food professionals are visiting the finalists anonymously.
The winners will be announced in Auckland on August 18.
"We know that the contest will again be intense, but we are also confident that we have a quality product which can match the best in New Zealand," Ms Caulton said.
