The outstanding quality of the 2021 vintage saw judges at this year’s Marlborough Wine Show, sponsored by Quay Connect, award the highest ever number of gold medals. In total 53 gold’s were awarded to Marlborough wines, with 2021 Sauvignon Blancs picking up a total of 12.

Chief Judge Ben Glover described the Sauvignons from this vintage as “out of this world”.

Two new awards celebrating the Best Organic Wine and Alternate Style Sauvignon Blanc, coupled with two exceptional Marlborough vintages, promise for an exciting lineup on the judging table at this year’s Marlborough Wine Show, sponsored by QuayConnect.

Three days of judging 544 wines begins tomorrow (13 October) at the Marlborough Convention Centre under strict Covid-19 alert level 2 guidelines.

When Neal and Judy Ibbotson bought a bare block of land on the outskirts of Blenheim, it was meant as a stepping stone to something bigger. Instead it was the “right place at the right time”, say the founders of Saint Clair Family Estate, 42 years after planting their first vines.