Gold standard: Air New Zealand Wine Awards 2017

More than 80 local drops have been awarded gold medal status at this year's Air New Zealand Wine Awards.

The New Zealand wine industry's finest varietals have been bestowed with the ultimate honour, receiving gold medal status at this year's Air New Zealand Wine Awards.

Following three days of sipping and sampling more than 1,300 different wines, 80 gold medals have been awarded to a selection of stand-out local drops.

Chair of judges Warren Gibson said the most pleasing aspect of this year’s awards results was "the spread of gold medals" around the country's beloved wine regions. From Mangere to Marlborough, the pinot reigned supreme.

“Pinot noir was once again the star performer with 20 golds. Predominantly the wines came from Central Otago, but Marlborough and Martinborough were also in the mix.

“The top wines from other categories were exceptional, particularly from Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Merlot, Cabernet and Blends. Marlborough has performed very strongly this year, with 41 golds, but it is good to see Central Otago and Hawke’s Bay bringing in plenty of gold medals too.”

In addition to the 80 gold medal award-winners, 221 silver medals and 493 bronze medals were awarded by the judging panel, bringing the total number of medals awarded across the 17 different classes to 794.

The trophy-winning wines will be revealed during a black tie dinner in Hawke’s Bay on November 25, including the illustrious Air New Zealand Champion Wine of the Show and O-I New Zealand Reserve Wine of the Show Award.

AIR NEW ZEALAND WINE AWARDS 2017 – FULL LIST OF GOLD MEDAL FINALISTS

JF Hillebrand New Zealand Champion Pinot Noir – Gold

• Akarua Pinot Noir Central Otago 2016
• Akitu A2 Pinot Noir Central Otago 2016
• Bald Hills Bannockburn Single Vineyard Pinot Noir Central Otago 2015
• Craggy Range Pinot Noir Martinborough 2016
• Dashwood Pinot Noir Marlborough 2016
• Domain Road Vineyard Pinot Noir Central Otago 2014
• Esk Valley Pinot Noir Marlborough 2016
• Freeland Pinot Noir Central Otago 2016
• Goldwater Pinot Noir Marlborough 2016
• Grove Mill Pinot Noir Marlborough 2016
• Maude Pinot Noir Central Otago 2016
• Peregrine Pinot Noir Central Otago 2015
• Saint Clair Omaka Reserve Pinot Noir Marlborough 2016
• Villa Maria Reserve Pinot Noir Marlborough 2015
• Wairau River Pinot Noir Marlborough 2016
• Wet Jacket Pinot Noir Central Otago 2015
• Wooing Tree Pinot Noir Central Otago 2014

Rabobank Champion Chardonnay – Gold

• Brancott Estate Letter Series "O" Chardonnay Marlborough 2016
• Giesen The Fuder Clayvin Chardonnay Marlborough 2014
• Isabel Chardonnay Marlborough 2016
• Ka Tahi ‘Rangatira’ Reserve Te Awanga Chardonnay Hawke's Bay 2016
• Martinborough Vineyard Home Block Chardonnay Martinborough 2015
• Saint Clair Pioneer Block 4 Sawcut Chardonnay Marlborough 2016
• Vidal Legacy Chardonnay Hawke's Bay 2016
• Whitehaven Chardonnay Marlborough 2016

Label and Litho Champion Sauvignon Blanc – Gold

• Giesen The Fuder Matthews Lane Sauvignon Blanc 2015
• Goldwater Sauvignon Blanc Wairau Valley Marlborough 2017
• Hawkesbridge Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2017
• Jules Taylor Wines Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2017
• Mount Vernon Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2017
• Opawa Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2017
• Villa Maria Private Bin Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2017
• Wairau River Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2017

Quay Connect Champion Other White Styles – Gold

• Nautilus Albariño Marlborough 2017

Fruitfed Supplies Champion Syrah – Gold

• Coopers Creek Reserve Syrah Hawke's Bay 2016
• Elephant Hill Syrah Hawke's Bay 2015

Guala Closures New Zealand Ltd Champion Pinot Gris – Gold

• Mount Riley Pinot Gris Marlborough 2017
• Rapaura Springs Reserve Pinot Gris Marlborough 2016
• Saddleback Pinot Gris Central Otago 2017
• Vavasour Pinot Gris Marlborough 2017

Riedel Champion Gewürztraminer – Gold

• Bladen Gewürztraminer 'Tilly Vineyard' Marlborough 2017
• Hunter's Gewürztraminer Marlborough 2017
• Lawson's Dry Hills Gewürztraminer Marlborough 2016

Eastern Realty Limited Champion Merlot, Cabernet and Blends – Gold

• Coopers Creek 'Gimblett Gravels' Merlot Hawke's Bay 2016
• Poderi Crisci Viburno Waiheke Island 2013
• Villa Maria Cellar Selection Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon Hawke's Bay 2015
• Villa Maria Cellar Selection Organic Merlot Hawke's Bay 2016
• Villa Maria Reserve Gimblett Gravels Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot Hawke's Bay 2015
• Villa Maria Reserve Gimblett Gravels Merlot Hawke's Bay 2015

Plant & Food Research Champion Riesling – Gold

• Ceres Bannockburn Black Rabbit Riesling Central Otago 2017
• Growers Mark Bone Dry Riesling Marlborough 2016
• Mount Riley Riesling Marlborough 2017
• Whitehaven Riesling Marlborough 2017

WineWorks Champion Sparkling Wine – Gold

• Aotea by the Seifried Family Méthode Traditionnelle Nelson NV
• Nautilus Vintage Rosé Marlborough 2014
• Tohu Rewa Méthode Traditionnelle Blanc de Blanc Marlborough 2014

New Zealand Winegrowers Champion Sweet Wine – Gold

• Forrest Botrytised Riesling Marlborough 2016
• Loop Rd. Noble Riesling Central Otago 2016
• One Off 'Sticky One Oh One' Gewürztraminer Hawke's Bay 2016
• Wairau River Reserve Botrytised Riesling Marlborough 2016

New World Champion Open White Wine – Gold

• Goldwater Sauvignon Blanc Wairau Valley Marlborough 2017
• Mount Riley Pinot Gris Marlborough 2017
• Mount Vernon Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2017
• Opawa Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2017
• Saddleback Pinot Gris Central Otago 2017
• Vavasour Pinot Gris Marlborough 2017
• Villa Maria Private Bin Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2017
• Wairau River Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2017

Dish Magazine Champion Open Red Wine – Gold

• Dashwood Pinot Noir Marlborough 2016
• Peregrine Pinot Noir Central Otago 2015
• Wairau River Pinot Noir Marlborough 2016

New Zealand Winegrowers Champion Exhibition White or Sparkling Wine – Gold

• Clearview Beachhead Chardonnay Hawke's Bay 2016
• Isabel Wild Barrique Chardonnay Marlborough 2016
• Jules Taylor OTQ Single Vineyard Chardonnay Marlborough 2016
• Matua Single Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2016
• Maude Mt Maude Vineyard East Block Riesling Central Otago 2017
• No1 Reserve Marlborough NV
• Ruru Pinot Gris Central Otago 2017
• te Pā Chardonnay Marlborough 2016
• The Sounds Riesling Marlborough 2016
• Villa Maria Reserve Chardonnay Hawke's Bay 2014
• Wairau River Albariño Marlborough 2017

New Holland Agriculture Champion Exhibition Red Wine – Gold

• Falcon Ridge Estate Syrah Nelson 2016
• Goldie Estate Reserve Syrah Waiheke Island 2014
• Kidnapper Cliffs Gimblett Gravels Syrah Hawke's Bay 2013
• Lowburn Ferry Home Block Pinot Noir Central Otago 2015
• Mount Michael Isla Reserve Pinot Noir Central Otago 2016
• Rockburn Seven Barrels Pinot Noir Central Otao 2016
• Squawking Magpie Gimblett Gravels SQM Cabernets Merlot Hawke's Bay 2013
• Three Miners Rosé Central Otago 2017
• Wet Jacket Rosé Central Otago 2017

To learn more about the Air New Zealand Wine Awards, see their website here.