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Viva Unveils Top 50 New Zealand Wines for 2025

Viva's NZ Wine Awards 2025: The 50 Best Bottles from New Zealand Wineries Revealed

In a celebration of New Zealand's vibrant wine scene, Viva has unveiled its highly anticipated NZ Wine Awards for 2025, showcasing the top 50 bottles that exemplify the country's winemaking excellence. This year's awards highlight the diversity and innovation within New Zealand's vineyards, from the crisp whites of Marlborough to the robust reds of Central Otago and Hawke's Bay. Judged by a panel of esteemed wine experts, sommeliers, and critics, the selections underscore emerging trends such as sustainable viticulture, low-intervention winemaking, and a renewed focus on indigenous and lesser-known varieties. The awards not only recognize outstanding quality but also spotlight the stories behind the bottles, including family-run estates and pioneering producers pushing the boundaries of Kiwi wine.

The judging process was rigorous, with over 500 entries blind-tasted across multiple sessions. Panelists evaluated wines based on criteria including aroma, flavor profile, balance, complexity, and value for money. Leading the judging team were renowned figures like wine writer Yvonne Lorkin, sommelier Cameron Douglas MS, and international critic Bob Campbell MW, who praised the overall high standard of submissions. "This year's lineup reflects New Zealand's maturation as a world-class wine nation," noted Douglas. "We're seeing elegance and terroir-driven expressions that rival the best globally." The awards are divided into categories such as Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Syrah, Bordeaux-style blends, aromatic whites, rosé, sparkling, and alternative varieties, with additional nods to value picks under $30 and premium icons over $50.

Kicking off with Sauvignon Blanc, New Zealand's flagship variety, the top honors went to the 2023 Greywacke Sauvignon Blanc from Marlborough. Judges lauded its vibrant passionfruit and citrus notes, underpinned by a zesty acidity and subtle herbal undertones, making it a quintessential expression of the region's gravelly soils. Close behind was the 2024 Dog Point Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc, celebrated for its layered complexity with hints of elderflower and a saline finish, reflecting organic farming practices. Other standout Sauvignon Blancs included the vibrant 2023 Te Whare Ra from Marlborough and the elegant 2024 Cloudy Bay, both emphasizing purity and freshness.

In the Chardonnay category, Hawke's Bay shone brightly with the 2022 Craggy Range Gimblett Gravels Vineyard Chardonnay taking the crown. This wine impressed with its creamy texture, integrated oak, and flavors of white peach, hazelnut, and a touch of minerality, showcasing the region's warm climate and meticulous barrel fermentation. The 2023 Kumeu River Maté's Vineyard Chardonnay from Auckland was a strong contender, offering a Burgundian style with bright acidity, lemon curd, and a long, elegant finish. Judges noted a trend toward cooler-climate Chardonnays, with entries like the 2022 Felton Road Block 6 from Central Otago highlighting stone fruit and flinty notes from high-altitude vineyards.

Pinot Noir, another cornerstone of NZ wine, saw Central Otago dominate. The supreme winner in this category—and arguably the standout of the awards—was the 2022 Rippon Mature Vine Pinot Noir from Wanaka. Described as ethereal, it boasts red cherry, wild thyme, and silky tannins, embodying the site's unique schist soils and biodynamic ethos. Other notable Pinots included the 2023 Ata Rangi from Martinborough, with its dark berry depth and spicy edge, and the 2022 Burn Cottage Vineyard from Central Otago, praised for its floral aromatics and fine structure. The panel observed a shift toward lighter, more perfumed styles, moving away from overly extracted versions.

For red blends and Syrah, Hawke's Bay's influence was unmistakable. The 2021 Te Mata Coleraine, a Cabernet-Merlot blend, earned top marks for its cassis-driven intensity, cedar notes, and age-worthy structure, evoking classic Bordeaux with a Kiwi twist. In Syrah, the 2022 Craggy Range Le Sol Syrah stood out with its peppery spice, blackberry richness, and velvety mouthfeel, highlighting Gimblett Gravels' gravelly terroir. Emerging stars like the 2023 Trinity Hill Homage Syrah added layers of violet and smoked meat, signaling Syrah's rising prominence beyond traditional regions.

Aromatic whites brought excitement with varieties like Riesling, Gewürztraminer, and Pinot Gris. The 2023 Framingham Classic Riesling from Marlborough was hailed for its lime zest, petrol hints, and off-dry balance, perfect for pairing with Asian cuisine. Gewürztraminer fans rejoiced over the 2024 Johanneshof from Marlborough, with its lychee and rose petal exuberance. Pinot Gris entries, such as the 2023 Dry River from Martinborough, impressed with pear and almond notes, showcasing restraint and elegance.

Rosé and sparkling categories reflected summer sipping trends. The 2024 Invivo & Co Graham Norton Rosé from Marlborough won for its strawberry freshness and crisp acidity, while the No.1 Family Estate Cuvée No.1 Méthode Traditionnelle from Marlborough dazzled with brioche and apple complexity, rivaling Champagne.

Alternative varieties rounded out the list, celebrating innovation. The 2023 Blackenbrook Albariño from Nelson offered tropical vibrancy, and the 2022 Millton Clos de Ste Anne Chenin Blanc from Gisborne brought honeyed depth. Value picks under $30 included the 2024 Mud House Sauvignon Blanc, delivering bang-for-buck zest, while premium icons like the 2020 Felton Road Cornish Point Pinot Noir commanded attention for their finesse.

Sustainability emerged as a key theme, with many winners from organic or biodynamic producers, such as Rippon and Seresin Estate. Judges highlighted how climate-resilient practices are enhancing wine quality amid changing weather patterns. Regionally, Marlborough retained its Sauvignon Blanc dominance, but Central Otago's Pinots and Hawke's Bay's reds affirmed their global appeal. Emerging areas like Northland and Canterbury also made waves with experimental bottlings.

Overall, Viva's 2025 awards paint a picture of a dynamic industry poised for growth. These 50 bottles not only represent the pinnacle of New Zealand winemaking but also invite consumers to explore the stories, soils, and passions behind them. Whether you're a collector seeking cellar-worthy gems or a casual drinker after everyday delights, this list offers something for every palate, reinforcing why Kiwi wines continue to captivate the world. (Word count: 928)

Read the Full The New Zealand Herald Article at:
[ https://www.nzherald.co.nz/viva/food-drink/vivas-nz-wine-awards-2025-50-best-bottles-from-nz-wineries-revealed/SKH7PKAHYFFX3ELG5PHTU36YQI/ ]