Image: Saint Clair Winemaker, Kyle Thomson, with his trophy haul.

The National Wine Awards of Aotearoa New Zealand, the country’s newest and only national wine competition, awarded 18 trophies at Sunday’s Awards of Excellence held at the Hilton on Auckland’s waterfront and emceed by the highly entertaining Jesse Mulligan.

In its second year, entries have risen to almost 900 so the competition is clearly being embraced by the wine industry it proudly serves. Under the stewardship of the same team that organised the Royal Easter Show Wine Awards, NZ's longest running Wine Show, it brings the best of this epic heritage together with lofty ambitions for the future, with the purpose of identifying, celebrating and elevating excellence in New Zealand wine.

Cheers to that.

MCC Label Trophy for Champion Sparkling

Category - Sparkling

Winner: Diamond Heart Waihopai Cuvée 2018

Laffort New Zealand Trophy for Champion Gewürztraminer

Category - Gewürztraminer

Winner: Saint Clair Pioneer Block 12 Lone Gum Gewürztraminer 2023

Antipodes Trophy for Champion Riesling

Category - Riesling

Winner: Mt Maude Reserve East Block Riesling 2023

Dish Magazine Trophy for Champion Pinot Gris

Category - Pinot Gris

Winner: Giesen Estate Pinot Gris 2023

Guala Closures New Zealand Trophy for Champion Sauvignon Blanc

Category - Sauvignon Blanc

Winner: Martinborough Vineyard Home Block Sauvignon Blanc 2023

New World Trophy for Champion Chardonnay

Category - Chardonnay

Winner: Isabel Estate Marlborough Wild Barrique Chardonnay 2022

NZ Winegrowers Trophy for Champion Other White Varieties

Category - Other Specified White Varieties & Unspecified or Blended Whites

Winner: Yealands Estate Single Vineyard Albarino 2023

winejobsonline.com Trophy for Champion Sweet Wine

Category - Sweet Wines

Winner: Clark Estate Single Vineyard Botrytised Riesling 2022

Wineworks Trophy for Champion Rosé

Category - Rosè or Blush

Winner: Stoneleigh Pinot Noir Rosé 2023

Classic Oak Products NZ Trophy for Champion Pinot Noir

Category - Pinot Noir

Winner: Saint Clair Pioneer Block 5 Bull Block Pinot Noir 2021

Kumeu A&H Society Trophy for Champion Cabernet & Blends

Category - Cabernet and Cabernet predominant blends

Winner: Mudbrick Velvet 2022

New Zealand Couriers Trophy for Champion Merlot & Blends

Category - Merlot and Merlot predominant blends

Winner: Church Road McDonald Series Merlot 2021

Fruitfed Supplies Trophy for Champion Syrah

Category - Fruitfed Supplies Trophy for Champion Syrah

Winner: Tipping Point Opportunist Syrah 2021

Trophy for Champion Other Red Varieties

Category - Other Specified Red Varieties & Unspecified or Blended Reds

Winner: Beach House Cabernet Franc 2021

Guala Closures New Zealand Award for Best Presented Screw Cap Bottle

Category - Best Presentation Award

Winner: Jules Taylor On The Quiet Pinot Noir 2021

Trophy for Champion Organic Wine

Category Award: Organic Award

Winner: Loop Rd Pinot Noir 2022

Mainfreight Trophy for Champion Export Wine

Category - Export Award

Winner: OTU Classic Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2023

Auckland A&P Association Heritage Rosebowl

Category - Heritage Rosebowl

Winner: Mt Maude Reserve East Block Riesling 2014, 2019, 2023

Auckland A&P Association Champion Wine of the Show

Category - Champion Wine of the Show

Winner: Saint Clair Pioneer Block 5 Bull Block Pinot Noir 2021

Auckland A&P Association Winemaker of the Show

Category - Winemaker of the Show

Winner: Sarah-Kate and Dan Dineen - Maude Wines

Visit the National Wine Awards website to find out more: https://www.nationalwineawards.co.nz/

@national_wine_awards_nz