The Air New Zealand Wine Awards is the premier wine competition in New Zealand recognizing excellence in winemaking. The competition is owned and organized by New Zealand Winegrowers, the national organization for the country’s 1,700 grape growers and winemakers.
In 2016, around 1,400 wines were judged by a team of local and international judges to identify medal and trophy winners for each of the varietal categories.
Every year kiwi wine lovers eagerly await the results of the Air NZ Wine Awards to help them with their selection of quality New Zealand wine.
The competition has been running for over 30 years and 2016 marks the 30th year that Air New Zealand have been the naming rights sponsor for this competition.
This Year (2016) there were 23 Pure Elite Gold, 69 Gold, 268 Silver and 614 Bronze medals awarded – a total of 974 wines receiving recognition.
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
Here is a list of the other Trophy Winners in each Sponsored Category.
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
Download the full Catalogue here:
http://airnzwineawards.co.nz/assets/ANZWA-AwardsCatalogue-for-web-2016.pdf