Church Road Chief Winemaker Chris Scott has been named New Zealand Winemaker of the Year for the fifth time at the annual Winestate Wine of the Year Awards.

It is also the third consecutive win for Scott, who has now won the title in 2013, 2016, 2020, 2021 and 2022.  

Pernod Ricard Winemakers NZ, which owns Church Road, was named New Zealand Wine Company of the Year for the second year in a row.

“It’s a real honour to win Winemaker of the Year for a fifth time – wow!” said Scott. “This award is as much for the team here at Church Road as it is for me. We have such a huge amount of skill, experience and dedication amongst the Church Road family and an incredible fruit resource from some of the very best vineyards in Hawke’s Bay. It is a bit of a dream really, to do what we do and we’re lucky to be able to do it in such a beautiful part of the world.”

Church Road also celebrated additional wins with Church Road 1 Terraces Chardonnay 2021 awarded both Winestate Chardonnay of the Year across Australia and New Zealand, and New Zealand Wine of the Year, while Church Road 1 Gimblett Gravels Merlot 2020 won Merlot of the Year across Australia and New Zealand.

D: Pernod Ricard