Show-winning wine picks up three trophies at Marlborough Wine Show, sponsored by QuayConnect
Show-winning wine picks up three trophies at Marlborough Wine Show, sponsored by QuayConnectPRESS RELEASE: MONDAY 17 NOVEMBER 2025
Jaron McLeod presents the QuayConnect Champion Wine of the Show to Michael Bann. Photo: Richard Briggs
Marlborough’s champion wine of the year picked up not one but three trophies at the 2025 Marlborough Wine Show, sponsored by QuayConnect.
Rapaura Springs Bouldevines Single Vineyard Chardonnay 2024 knocked out more than 500 Marlborough wines to be crowned the QuayConnect Champion Wine of the Show, alongside The Coterie Wine of Provenance and Vintech Pacific Champion Chardonnay, Current Vintage.
Chief Judge Stu Marfell said it had been another exciting Show, with some outstanding 2024 wines across the varieties, alongside many delicious 2025 Sauvignon Blancs and aromatics.
“The Champion Wine of the Show was a difficult choice, as there were so many outstanding trophy winners, but the Rapaura Springs Bouldevines Single Vineyard Chardonnay is a deserved champion. With its beautiful citrus nose, a touch of savoury flintyness and wild ferment complexity, it is a remarkable wine with loads of complexity and focus. It is a great ambassador for how good Marlborough Chardonnay can be,” he says.
Rapaura Springs won a fourth trophy this year, the Fruitfed Supplies Champion Southern Valleys trophy with the ROHE Southern Valleys Pinot Noir by Rapaura Springs 2024.
In the Legacy category, Marlborough chardonnay also proved its ability to age well, with Isabel Estate’s Wild Barrique Chardonnay nabbing the NZ Wine Centre Legacy Award, sponsored by Marlborough Research Centre; their 2018, 2020 and 2022 vintages making an impression.
The award aims to celebrate a wine with the highest scores from three vintages within a 10-year period, and a minimum gap of two years between each wine.
It was a trifecta of trophies for Isabel Estate, who also picked up the De Sangosse NZ Champion Pinot Noir 2022 & Older with their Single Vineyard Pinot Noir 2021 and the Scenic Hotel Marlborough Champion Rosé with their Marlborough Rosé 2025.
In total, 21 trophies were awarded at a Marlborough Wine Show Celebration event on Friday evening, alongside a special Lifetime Achievement Award, which went to Kimberley and Kevin Judd of Greywacke Wines.
Marlborough Winegrowers Association board member Tracey Johnston was the MC for the stand-up function, held at the recently opened Wine + Food Experience Marlborough.
The Marlborough Wine Show, sponsored by QuayConnect, is an opportunity to showcase the region’s best wines and give winemakers an opportunity to benchmark their work alongside that of their local peers. This year, 91 gold, 144 silver, and 180 bronze medals were awarded.
Show sponsor QuayConnect General Manager Jaron McLeod says the number of medals awarded this year reflects the passion and skill within Marlborough’s wine community.
“The Marlborough Wine Show is always a highlight, a chance to celebrate the people and place behind our region’s outstanding wines. Congratulations to all of this year’s winners, especially the QuayConnect Champion Wine of the Show, Rapaura Springs Bouldevines Single Vineyard Chardonnay 2024. To the wider industry that continues to raise the bar each year, congratulations on another outstanding year of producing the very best of New Zealand wine. QuayConnect is proud to be part of your journey.”
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Justin Roberts and Michael Bann Rapaura Springs
Susan Foster presents Legacy Award to Jeremy McKenzie Isabel Estate
Rapaura Springs Bouldevines Single Vineyard Chardonnay 2024
Ryhan Wardman presents The Coterie Wine of Provenance award to Michael Bann
Richelle Tyney and Ben Leonard accept the Wine Marlborough Lifetime Achievement Award
We wish to thank the support of our trophy sponsors:
QuayConnect Champion Wine of the Show 2025
Winequip Champion Sparkling
WineWorks Champion Sauvignon Blanc Current Vintage
WineWorks Champion Sauvignon Blanc 2024 & older
Chandler Glass & Packaging Alternate Style Sauvignon Blanc
Vintech Pacific Champion Chardonnay Current Vintage
Vintech Pacific Champion Chardonnay 2022 & older
Label and Litho Champion Pinot Gris
Interpack Champion Riesling
Winebrokers New Zealand Champion Gewürztraminer
Barrel Finance & Logistics Champion Sweet Wine
Marlborough Wine + Food Experience Champion Other White Wine
De Sangosse NZ Champion Pinot Noir Current Vintage
De Sangosse NZ Champion Pinot Noir 2022 & Older
Scenic Hotel Marlborough Champion Rosé
Vit Management Ltd Champion Organic Wine
The Coterie Wine of Provenance
Central Express Ltd Champion Wairau Valley Wine
Fruitfed Supplies Champion Southern Valleys Wine
Circuit Logistics Champion Awatere & South Marlborough Wine
NZ Wine Centre Legacy Award, sponsored by Marlborough Research Centre