Isabel Estate Marlborough Pinot Noir 2021 has been named the Champion Wine of the 2023 Marlborough Wine Show.

The wine also picked up three other trophies: ‘De Sangosse NZ Champion Current Vintage Pinot Noir’, ‘The Coterie Wine of Provenance’ and ‘Wine Marlborough Ltd Champion Wairau Valley’.

Chief Judge Stu Marfell said the Champion wine was a clear standout for judges. “It showed not only how far we have come with Pinot Noir in Marlborough, but also a glimpse into the future. Pristine fruit, combined with thoughtful and sensitive winemaking has created a wine with elegance and vibrancy.”.

There were 22 trophies presented at The Marlborough Wine Celebration Evening  - Honouring 50 Years of Marlborough Wine.

Alongside making an impression with Pinot Noir, Isabel Estate proved tough competition with Chardonnay at the show. Isabel Estate Wild Barrique Chardonnay 2022 and Isabel Estate Marlborough Chardonnay 2020 took the ‘Champion current vintage Chardonnay’, and ‘Champion 2020 and older Chardonnay’ trophies, both sponsored by Bragato Research Institute, respectively.

The highly sought-after NZ Wine Centre Legacy Trophy, sponsored by Marlborough Research Centre, was this year presented to Tohu Wines for their TOHU Rewa Méthode Traditionnelle Blanc de Blancs 2011, 2014, and 2016.

Launched in 2013, the Trophy is designed to celebrate wines with pedigree. It is awarded to the wine with the highest scores from three vintage wines within a 10-year period and a minimum gap of two years between each wine, demonstrating both excellence and consistency.

This year, Wine Marlborough Ltd was thrilled to welcome Oz Clarke to join the judging panel for the special Legacy award.

The evening was a celebration of 50 years since the beginning of the modern Marlborough wine industry and was MC’d by Chair of the Marlborough Winegrowers Association, Beth Forrest.

Four pioneers of Marlborough wine were also recognised with Wine Marlborough Lifetime Achievement Awards at the dinner: James Healy, Dave Pearce, Tessa Anderson and Murray Gibbons joined a growing list of industry leaders who have championed Marlborough wine for the best part of five decades.

The Workplace Wellbeing Impact Award 2023 was presented to Spy Valley Wines, alongside the Workplace Wellbeing Leadership Award 2023, which was presented to Yealands Wine.

W: See the full list of Trophy winnners at marlboroughwineshow.com/awards