
Proportionally, considering the number of entries submitted in each class, Riesling was the most highly awarded with over 16.5% winning a gold. Syrah won a high percentage of golds, the 4 awarded equating to 9.7%. and likewise for the Sparkling Wines, the 4 golds from 44 wines judged giving over 9% gold rate. The 2 golds for Gewurztraminer from 24 entries gave over 8% gold success. Chardonnay and the Bordeaux varieties also did well at nearly 8% of them entered winning gold. Performing less than average, 6.5% of the Pinot Noirs judged took gold. With Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Gris, only 5.4% of the entries took gold. The Rosé category was also a poor performer, the 3 golds equating to under 5% of the entries.
This year’s judging was conducted over 13-15 February at the Auckland Showgrounds, with Kate Radburnd as Chair of Judges and Mike de Garis as Deputy Chair. The panel leaders were Jane Cooper, Rod Easthope, Barry Riwai and James Rowan. The other senior judges were Michael Bann, Rebecca Deed, Jo Gear, John Hancock, Oliver Masters, Matt Murphy, Jen Parr and Dave Roper. The associate judges were Hannah Burns, Paul Harre, James Hillard, Jordan Hogg, Vanessa Robson, Chloe Somerset, Lauren Swift and Richard Tollenaar. The Competition Director was Shona White and Mark Compton was the Chief Steward. It is good to see a younger set of personnel involved, especially with new panel leaders.
Here are the 71 gold medal winners. They are listed by variety (or general class category) and alphabetically. The full set of gold, silver and bronze medals can be seen at www.wineshow.co.nz
Babydoll Sauvignon Blanc 2017
Giesen The Fuder Single Vineyard Matthews Lane Sauvignon Blanc 2014
Rapaura Springs Reserve Wairau Classic Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2017
Tinpot Hut Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2017
Vavasour Sauvignon Blanc 2017
Villa Maria Single Vineyard Taylors Pass Sauvignon Blanc 2017
Waimea Sauvignon Blanc 2017
Wairau River Sauvignon Blanc 2017
Whitehaven Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2017
Yealands Estate Single Block S1 Sauvignon Blanc 2017
Allan Scott Family Winemakers Marlborough Riesling 2017
Ceres Bannockburn Black Rabbit Riesling 2017
Growers Mark Gale Force Riesling 2016
Riverby Estate Eliza Riesling 2014
Villa Maria Private Bin Marlborough Riesling 2017
West Brook Marlborough Riesling 2017
West Brook Marlborough Riesling 2015
Bladen Marlborough Pinot Gris 2016
Giesen Estate Pinot Gris 2017
Mission Estate Pinot Gris 2017
Mud House Marlborough Pinot Gris 2017
Rapaura Springs Reserve Marlborough Pinot Gris 2017
Spy Valley Single Estate Gewurztraminer 2016
Villa Maria Single Vineyard Ihumatao Gewurztraminer 2017
Delta Hatter’s Hill Chardonnay 2016
Isabel Marlborough Chardonnay 2016
Isabel Marlborough Wild Barrique Chardonnay 2016
Saint Clair Omaka Reserve Chardonnay 2016
Selaks Founders Chardonnay 2016
Te Awa Single Estate Hawkes Bay Chardonnay 2016
Villa Maria Reserve Marlborough Chardonnay 2016
Villa Maria Single Vineyard Keltern Chardonnay 2016
Villa Maria Single Vineyard Taylors Pass Chardonnay 2016
Wairau River Reserve Chardonnay 2017
West Brook Waimauku Chardonnay 2016
Whitehaven Marlborough Chardonnay 2016
Villa Maria Private Bin Gisborne Viognier 2016
Hawkesbridge Marlborough Méthode Traditionnelle 2014
Hunter’s MiruMiru™ NV
Te Hana Reserve Cuvee NV
Vic Williams’ Selection Marlborough Methode Traditionnelle 2014
Bushmere Estate Rosé 2017
Isabel Marlborough Rosé 2017
The Ned Pinot Rosé 2017
Aronui Nelson Single Vineyard PInot Noir 2015
Domain Road Pinot Noir 2014
Framingham Marlborough Pinot Noir 2015
Grove Mill Pinot Noir 2016
Russian Jack Pinot Noir 2016
Saint Clair Marlborough Premium Pinot Noir 2016
Seventeen Valley Pinot Noir 2016
Two Degrees Pinot Noir 2016
Villa Maria Single Vineyard Seddon Pinot Noir 2014
Villa Maria Single Vineyard Southern Clays Pinot Noir 2015
Villa Maria Single Vineyard Taylors Pass Pinot Noir 2015
Babich Hawke’s Bay Merlot Cabernet 2016
Pukeora Ruahine Range The Benches 2013
Saint Clair Pioneer Block 17 Plateau Merlot 2016
Villa Maria Cellar Selection Hawkes Bay Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon 2016
Mills Reef Reserve Cabernet Merlot 2016
Villa Maria Reserve Gimblett Gravels Hawkes Bay Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2015
Mission Jewelstone Syrah 2015
Tohu Hawkes Bay Syrah 2015
Vidal Legacy Gimblett Gravels Hawkes Bay Syrah 2014
Villa Maria Reserve Gimblett Gravels Hawkes Bay Syrah 2016
Villa Maria Reserve Gimblett Gravels Hawkes Bay Malbec 2015