Michael Brajkovich MW of Kumeu River Wines has been honoured as the 2024 Winemakers’ Winemaker, at a ceremony during industry event ProWein in Dusseldorf, Germany.

Presented by the Institute of Masters of Wine and the drinks business since 2011, the award recognises outstanding achievement in winemaking. Masters of Wine winemakers and the previous award recipients voted Brajkovich as this year’s winner.

The New Zealander is recognised by many as the pioneer of the Chardonnay movement in the country and for spearheading the use of screw cap closures. In 2001 he transitioned all Kumeu River Wines to screw cap closure. Michael is a champion for wild yeasts in winemaking and continues to experiment and develop his technique as a winemaker. His Hunting Hill Chardonnay is among his most notable wines.

Patrick Schmitt MW, editor-in-chief at the drinks business, said ““I’m delighted that the talented, learned and modest Michael Brajkovich has been selected as the latest in a respected line of influential winemakers, not only because he crafts one of the New World’s benchmark Chardonnays, but also because he is so generous with his time and knowledge. Indeed, when it comes to understanding how great white wine is made, there are few better mentors than Michael.”

Michael was unable to attend the awards reception as he is mid-harvest at the Kumeu River estate in Auckland’s north west. The award was accepted on his behalf by fellow Master of Wine, Matthew Deller MW (CEO Wirra Wirra).

Via video message, Michael Brajkovich MW, said “I am absolutely delighted and deeply honoured to be recognised by my peers of the Institute… it’s a real honour to be included in the list of people who have won this award in the past and even more so because it is a recognition from members of the Institute and particularly winemaker members of the Institute”.

Michael joins the impressive list of previous winners, including: Jean-Louis Chave (2022), Peter Sisseck (2011), Peter Gago (2012), Paul Draper (2013), Anne-Claude Leflaive (2014), Egon Müller (2015), Alvaro Palacios (2016), Eben Sadie (2017), Jean-Claude Berrouet (2018) and Angelo Gaja (2019).