Air NZ Gold Medal Winners

Following three days of judging over 1,300 wines, 80 gold medals were awarded in this year’s Air New Zealand Wine Awards.

Chair of Judges Warren Gibson said the most pleasing aspect of this year’s awards was the spread of gold medals across a number of varieties and regions.

“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 & 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 medals, 221 silver medals and 493 bronze medals were awarded by the judges, bringing the total number of medals awarded across the 17 different classes to 794.

The following lists the gold medal winners.

Gold medals by varietal
Sparkling 4
Gewürztraminer 3
Pinot Gris 5
Riesling 6
Sauvignon Blanc 9
Chardonnay 13
Sweet Wine 4
Rosé 2
Pinot Noir 20
Merlot, Cabernet and Blends 7
Syrah 5
Other Varieties – Single 2
Total 80

Gold medals by region
Auckland 2
Hawke's Bay 14
Wellington Wine Country 2
Nelson 2
Marlborough 41
Central Otago 19
Total 80

Quantities available for sale by wineries by entry category:

Note for below: Exhibition wines are listed in their Exhibition Trophy category only, not under the varietal category.

WINE AVAILABILITY AND PRICING The key below indicates quantities available for sale by wineries by entry category as at 14 November 2017.

If you cannot find any of the gold medal wines, please contact the winery directly.
(O) Open – 2500 cases
(L) Limited – 250 cases
(Note: sparkling – 100 cases, sweet wine – 55 cases)
(E) Exhibition – 50 cases

*Prices vary between winery and low- to high-volume wine sales outlets, and therefore cannot be guaranteed.
All prices are quoted in New Zealand dollars. 12 bottles per case.

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

Click on the weblink:

Dashwood Pinot Noir Marlborough 2016 www.dashwoodwine.co.nz (O) $17.95

Akarua Pinot Noir Central Otago 2016 www.akarua.com (L) $43.00

Akitu A2 Pinot Noir Central Otago 2016 www.akitu.co.nz (L) $39.90

Bald Hills Bannockburn Single Vineyard Pinot Noir Central Otago 2015 www.baldhills.co.nz (L) $46.00

Craggy Range Pinot Noir Martinborough 2016 www.craggyrange.com (L) $45.95

Domain Road Vineyard Pinot Noir Central Otago 2014 www.domainroad.co.nz (L) $38.00

Esk Valley Pinot Noir Marlborough 2016 www.eskvalley.co.nz (L) $26.50

Freeland Pinot Noir Central Otago 2016 www.nzwinesociety.co.nz (L) $34.95

Goldwater Pinot Noir Marlborough 2016 www.goldwaterwine.com (L) $27.95

Grove Mill Pinot Noir Marlborough 2016 www.grovemill.co.nz (L) $24.95

Lowburn Ferry Home Block Pinot Noir Central Otago 2015 www.lowburnferry.co.nz (E) $55.00

Maude Pinot Noir Central Otago 2016 www.maudewines.com (L) $38.00

Mount Michael Isla Reserve Pinot Noir Central Otago 2016 www.mountmichaelwines.com (E) $62.00

Peregrine Pinot Noir Central Otago 2015 www.peregrinewines.co.nz (O) $45.00

Rockburn Seven Barrels Pinot Noir Central Otago 2016 www.rockburn.co.nz (E) $96.00

Saint Clair Omaka Reserve Pinot Noir Marlborough 2016 www.saintclair.co.nz (L) $44.00

Villa Maria Reserve Pinot Noir Marlborough 2015 www.villamaria.co.nz (L) $50.99

Wairau River Pinot Noir Marlborough 2016 www.wairauriverwines.com (O) $25.00

Wet Jacket Pinot Noir Central Otago 2015 www.wetjacket.nz (L) $39.00

Wooing Tree Pinot Noir Central Otago 2014 www.wooingtree.co.nz (L) $48.00

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

Click on the weblink:

Isabel Chardonnay Marlborough 2016 www.isabelvineyard.com (L) $29.99

Isabel Wild Barrique Chardonnay Marlborough 2016 www.isabelvineyard.com (E) $29.99

Brancott Estate Letter Series "O" Chardonnay Marlborough 2016 www.brancottestate.com (L) $26.49

Clearview Beachhead Chardonnay Hawke's Bay 2016 www.clearviewestate.co.nz (E) $28.00

Giesen The Fuder Clayvin Chardonnay Marlborough 2014 www.giesenwines.co.nz (L) $54.99

Jules Taylor OTQ Single Vineyard Chardonnay Marlborough 2016 www.julestaylor.com (E) $39.99

Ka Tahi ‘Rangatira’ Reserve Te Awanga Chardonnay Hawke's Bay 2016 www.katahiwines.com (L) $30.00

Martinborough Vineyard Home Block Chardonnay Martinborough 2015 www.martinborough-vineyard.co.nz (L) $42.95

Saint Clair Pioneer Block 4 Sawcut Chardonnay Marlborough 2016 www.saintclair.co.nz (L) $32.90

te Pa Chardonnay Marlborough 2016 www.tepawines.com (E) $24.99

Vidal Legacy Chardonnay Hawke's Bay 2016 www.vidal.co.nz (L) $59.99

Villa Maria Reserve Chardonnay Hawke's Bay 2014 www.villamaria.co.nz (E) $39.99

Whitehaven Chardonnay Marlborough 2016 www.whitehaven.co.nz (L) $24.90

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

Links: 

Giesen The Fuder Matthews Lane Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2015 www.giesenwines.co.nz (L) $39.99 

Goldwater Sauvignon Blanc Wairau Valley Marlborough 2017 www.goldwaterwine.com (O) $24.95

Hawkesbridge Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2017 www.nzwinesociety.co.nz (L) $23.99

Jules Taylor Wines Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2017 www.julestaylor.com (L) $23.99

Matua Single Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2016 www.matua.co.nz (E) $34.95

Mount Vernon Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2017 www.lawsonsdryhills.co.nz (O) $34.95

Opawa Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2017 www.opawawine.com (O) $20.00

Villa Maria Private Bin Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2017 www.villamaria.co.nz (O) $16.99

Wairau River Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2017 www.wairauriverwines.com (O) $20.00

Quay Connect Champion Other White Styles
Gold
Nautilus Albariño Marlborough 2017

Click on the weblink:

Nautilus Albariño Marlborough 2017 www.nautilusestate.com (L) $29.00

Fruitfed Supplies Champion Syrah
Gold
Coopers Creek Reserve Syrah Hawke's Bay 2016
Elephant Hill Syrah Hawke's Bay 2015

Click on the weblink:
Coopers Creek Reserve Syrah Hawke's Bay 2016

www.cooperscreek.co.nz (L) $59.99

Elephant Hill Syrah Hawke's Bay 2015

www.elephanthill.co.nz (L) $34.00

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

Click on the weblink:

Saddleback Pinot Gris Central Otago 2017 www.peregrinewines.co.nz (O) $22.00

Mount Riley Pinot Gris Marlborough 2017 www.mountriley.co.nz (O) $15.00

Rapaura Springs Reserve Pinot Gris Marlborough 2016 www.rapaurasprings.co.nz (L) $18.99

Vavasour Pinot Gris Marlborough 2017 www.vavasour.com (O) $22.95

Riedel Champion Gewürztraminer
Gold
Bladen Gewürztraminer 'Tilly Vineyard' Marlborough 2017
Hunter's Gewürztraminer Marlborough 2017
Lawson's Dry Hills Gewürztraminer Marlborough 2016

Links

Lawson's Dry Hills Gewürztraminer Marlborough 2016 www.lawsonsdryhills.co.nz (L) $25.00 

Bladen Gewürztraminer 'Tilly Vineyard' Marlborough 2017 www.bladen.co.nz (L) $29.00 

​Hunter's Gewürztraminer Marlborough 2017 www.hunters.co.nz (L) $24.99

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

Click on the weblink:

Villa Maria Cellar Selection Organic Merlot Hawke's Bay 2016 www.villamaria.co.nz (L) $18.50

Coopers Creek 'Gimblett Gravels' Merlot Hawke's Bay 2016 www.cooperscreek.co.nz (L) $24.99

Poderi Crisci Viburno Waiheke Island 2013 www.podericrisci.co.nz (L) $50.00

Squawking Magpie Gimblett Gravels SQM Cabernets Merlot Hawke's Bay 2013 www.squawkingmagpie.co.nz (E) $79.00

Villa Maria Cellar Selection Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon Hawke's Bay 2015 www.villamaria.co.nz (L) $18.50

Villa Maria Reserve Gimblett Gravels Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot Hawke's Bay 2015 www.villamaria.co.nz (L) $50.99

Villa Maria Reserve Gimblett Gravels Merlot Hawke's Bay 2015 www.villamaria.co.nz (L) $50.99

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

Click on the weblink:

Mount Riley Riesling Marlborough 2017 www.mountriley.co.nz (L) $15.00

Ceres Bannockburn Black Rabbit Riesling Central Otago 2017 www.cereswines.co.nz (L) $27.95

Growers Mark Bone Dry Riesling Marlborough 2016 www.farmersmarketwine.co.nz (L) $16.99

Whitehaven Riesling Marlborough 2017 www.whitehaven.co.nz (L) $21.90

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

Click on the weblink:

Nautilus Vintage Rosé Marlborough 2014 www.nautilusestate.com (L) $49.00

Tohu Rewa Méthode Traditionnelle Blanc de Blanc Marlborough 2014 www.tohu.co.nz (L) $33.95

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

Click on the weblink:
 

Forrest Botrytised Riesling Marlborough 2016 www.forrest.co.nz (L) $30.00

Loop Rd. Noble Riesling Central Otago 2016 www.looprd.co.nz (L) $35.00

One Off 'Sticky One Oh One' Gewürztraminer Hawke's Bay 2016 www.rmwines.co.nz (L) $24.99

Wairau River Reserve Botrytised Riesling Marlborough 2016 www.wairauriverwines.com (L) $30.00

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

Click on the weblink:

Goldwater Sauvignon Blanc Wairau Valley Marlborough 2017 www.goldwaterwine.com (O) $24.95

Mount Vernon Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2017 www.lawsonsdryhills.co.nz (O) $34.95

Opawa Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2017 www.opawawine.com (O) $20.00

Villa Maria Private Bin Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2017 www.villamaria.co.nz (O) $16.99

Wairau River Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2017 www.wairauriverwines.com (O) $20.00

Saddleback Pinot Gris Central Otago 2017 www.peregrinewines.co.nz (O) $22.00

Mount Riley Pinot Gris Marlborough 2017 www.mountriley.co.nz (O) $15.00

Vavasour Pinot Gris Marlborough 2017 www.vavasour.com (O) $22.95

Dish Magazine Champion Open Red Wine
Gold
Dashwood Pinot Noir Marlborough 2016
Peregrine Pinot Noir Central Otago 2015
Wairau River Pinot Noir Marlborough 2016

Click on the weblink:

Dashwood Pinot Noir Marlborough 2016 www.dashwoodwine.co.nz (O) $17.95

Peregrine Pinot Noir Central Otago 2015 www.peregrinewines.co.nz (O) $45.00

Wairau River Pinot Noir Marlborough 2016 www.wairauriverwines.com (O) $25.00 

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

Click on the weblink:

Clearview Beachhead Chardonnay Hawke's Bay 2016 www.clearviewestate.co.nz (E) $28.00 

Isabel Wild Barrique Chardonnay Marlborough 2016 www.isabelvineyard.com (E) $29.99

Jules Taylor OTQ Single Vineyard Chardonnay Marlborough 2016 www.julestaylor.com (E) $39.99 

Matua Single Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2016 www.matua.co.nz (E) $34.95 

No1 Reserve Marlborough NV www.no1familyestate.co.nz (E) $96.00
 
Ruru Pinot Gris Central Otago 2017 www.immigrantsvineyard.co.nz (E) $24.00 

te Pa Chardonnay Marlborough 2016 www.tepawines.com (E) $24.99

The Sounds Riesling Marlborough 2016 www.nzwinesociety.co.nz (E) $20.99 

Villa Maria Reserve Chardonnay Hawke's Bay 2014 www.villamaria.co.nz (E) $39.99

Wairau River Albariño Marlborough 2017 www.wairauriverwines.com (E) $30.00

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 Otago 2016
Squawking Magpie Gimblett Gravels SQM Cabernets Merlot Hawke's Bay 2013
Three Miners Rosé Central Otago 2017
Wet Jacket Rosé Central Otago 2017

Click on the weblink:

Falcon Ridge Estate Syrah Nelson 2016 www.falconridgeestate.co.nz (E) $50.00

Goldie Estate Reserve Syrah Waiheke Island 2014 www.goldieestate.co.nz (E) $60.00

Kidnapper Cliffs Gimblett Gravels Syrah Hawke's Bay 2013 www.teawacollection.com (E) $69.99

Lowburn Ferry Home Block Pinot Noir Central Otago 2015 www.lowburnferry.co.nz (E)

Mount Michael Isla Reserve Pinot Noir Central Otago 2016 www.mountmichaelwines.com (E) $62.00

Rockburn Seven Barrels Pinot Noir Central Otago 2016 www.rockburn.co.nz (E) $96.00 

Three Miners Rosé Central Otago 2017 www.threeminers.com (E) $26.00

Wet Jacket Rosé Central Otago 2017 www.wetjacket.nz (E) $29.00