And the winners are...

Viaduct Events Centre was the glittering venue for a night of wining and dining in honour of the annual Air New Zealand Wine Awards. 

As attendees were treated to a divine four-course menu, created by New Zealand cuisine legends Michael Meredith and Peter Gordon, the winning drops from a total of 1402 wines judged were announced.

Dish was proud to sponsor the Champion Open Red Wine category, which went to the very deserving Yealands Estate Single Vineyard Pinot Noir Marlborough 2015.

The top honour went to Lowburn Ferry Home Block Pinot Noir Central Otago 2014, which was named Champion Wine of The Show. Chair of Judges and Master of Wine Michael Brajkovich says it was one of the more complex pinot noir wines in this year’s competition, with "lovely ripe wild cherry aromas with earthy herbal and truffle-like undertones". Pinot noir was the most-awarded style of the evening, earning 17 of the 91 gold medals awarded overall. The second highest accolade of the night was the O-I New Zealand Reserve Wine of the Show Trophy, and this went to the Brancott Estate Letter Series "O" Chardonnay Marlborough 2015. 

Join us in raising a glass to the all the winners: 

Air New Zealand Champion Wine of The Show 
Lowburn Ferry Home Block Pinot Noir Central Otago 2014

O-I New Zealand Reserve Wine of The Show
Brancott Estate Letter Series “O” Chardonnay Marlborough 2015

JF Hillebrand New Zealand Champion Pinot Noir
Lowburn Ferry Home Block Pinot Noir Central Otago 2014

Label and Litho Champion Sauvignon Blanc
Babydoll Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2016

Rabobank New Zealand Champion Chardonnay
Brancott Estate Letter Series “O” Chardonnay Marlborough 2015

Coast FM Champion Merlot, Cabernet and Blends
Villa Maria Reserve Gimblett Gravels Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot Hawke’s Bay 2014

Dish Magazine Champion Open Red Wine
Yealands Estate Single Vineyard Pinot Noir Marlborough 2015

Fruitfed Supplies Champion Syrah
Mission Reserve Syrah Hawke’s Bay 2015

Guala Closures New Zealand Ltd Champion Pinot Gris
Wairau River Pinot Gris Marlborough 2016

Liquorland Champion Rosé
Whitehaven Pinot Rosé Marlborough 2016

New World Champion Open White Wine
Giesen Riesling New Zealand 2015

Plant & Food Research Champion Riesling
Giesen Riesling New Zealand 2015

Plumm Glassware Champion Gewürztraminer
Lawson’s Dry Hills Gewürztraminer Marlborough 2015

QuayConnect Champion Other White Styles
Nautilus Albariño Marlborough 2016

Wine-Searcher Champion Sweet White Wine
Giesen The Brothers Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2014

WineWorks Limited Champion Sparkling Wine
Deutz Cuvee Blanc De Blancs Methode Traditionnelle Marlborough 2013

Rangitikei Chicken Champion Exhibition White or Sparkling Wine
Maude Mt Maude Vineyard Dry Riesling Central Otago 2016

New Zealand Winegrowers Champion Exhibition Red Wine
Mission Reserve Cabernet Franc Hawke’s Bay 2014

For more information visit airnzwineawards.co.nz