The International Wine Challenge has announced the highest scoring wines in the competition.
Nine countries earned a position in the top ranks, with New Zealand ranking sixth with 32 Gold Medals – nine more than last year – and 10 trophies.
It also claimed three places in the International Wine Challenge top Champion wines, more than any other country in the 2025 challenge.
Villa Maria’s Reserve Coastal Awatere Sauvignon Blanc 2024 secured both the International Sauvignon Blanc Trophy and the New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc Trophy, with judges hailing it as a “cracking Sauvignon Blanc” with “all the chilly thrill of Awatere’s blustery seaside gales”.
Church Road from Hawke’s Bay collected three trophies, including the International Merlot Trophy, for its 1 Merlot 2021, praised as “youthful”, “impressive”, and “spicy”.
Meanwhile, Glenora Estate from Waiheke Island known for its Bordeaux blends and Syrah wines, earned the International Syrah Trophy for its “succulent and smooth” Syrah 2024.
Brent Marris, founder and winemaker of Marisco Vineyards, earned the title of White Winemaker of the Year, marking just the second time New Zealand has won the award; and Marisco also picked up the Marlborough Chardonnay Trophy and Marlborough Pinot Noir Trophy.
New Zealand winners
The full list of Trophy and Champion winners at the 2025 International Wine Challenge can be found here.
How to catch up with The Shout NZ…
Online, updated daily with its own unique content and breaking news.
Our weekly newsletter – free to your inbox! Subscribe here.
We are also on Facebook and Instagram!