Marlborough Chardonnay named Champion Wine for 2025
Rapaura Springs Bouldevines Single Vineyard Chardonnay 2024 beat more than 500 other Marlborough wines to be crowned the QuayConnect Champion Wine of the Show at this year’s Marlborough Wine Show.
It also won trophies for The Coterie Wine of Provenance and Vintech Pacific Champion Chardonnay, Current Vintage.
“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,” said Chief Judge Stu Marfell.
“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.”
Rapaura Springs also won a fourth trophy with the Fruitfed Supplies Champion Southern Valleys Trophy for the ROHE Southern Valleys Pinot Noir by Rapaura Springs 2024.
Jaron McLeod of Quay Connect presents Michael Bann of Rapaura Springs with the 2025 Champion Wine of Show Trophy at the Marlborough Wine Show.
In the Legacy category, Marlborough Chardonnay proved its ability to age well, with Isabel Estate’s Wild Barrique Chardonnay nabbing the NZ Wine Centre Legacy Award for their 2018, 2020 and 2022 vintages. The award celebrates a wine with the highest scores from three vintages within a 10-year period, and a minimum gap of two years between each wine.
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. This year, 91 gold, 144 silver, and 180 bronze medals were also awarded.
2025 Marlborough Wine Show Trophies
QuayConnect Champion Wine of the Show 2025 - Rapaura Springs Bouldevines Single Vineyard Chardonnay 2024
Winequip Champion Sparkling - Diamond Heart Waihopai Cuvée 2020
WineWorks Champion Sauvignon Blanc Current Vintage - Kim Crawford Small Parcels Sauvignon Blanc 2025
WineWorks Champion Sauvignon Blanc 2024 & Older - Delta Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2024
Chandler Glass & Packaging Alternate Style Sauvignon Blanc - Saint Clair Barrique Sauvignon Blanc 2021
Vintech Pacific Champion Chardonnay Current Vintage - Rapaura Springs Bouldevines Single Vineyard Chardonnay 2024
Vintech Pacific Champion Chardonnay 2022 & Older - te Pā Reserve Collection "Auntsfield Vineyard" Chardonnay 2022
Label and Litho Champion Pinot Gris - Nautilus Pinot Gris 2025
Interpack Champion Riesling - Mount Riley Marlborough Riesling 2025
Wine Brokers New Zealand Champion Gewürztraminer - Leefield Station The Gatherer Gewürztraminer 2025
Barrel Finance & Logistics Champion Sweet Wine - Brancott Estate Letter Series B Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc 2023
Marlborough Wine + Food Experience Champion Other White Wine - Forrest Chenin Blanc 2025
De Sangosse NZ Champion Pinot Noir Current Vintage - te Pā Reserve Collection "Westhaven" Pinot Noir 2024
De Sangosse NZ Champion Pinot Noir 2022 & Older - Isabel Estate Single Vineyard Pinot Noir 2021
Scenic Hotel Marlborough Champion Rosé - Isabel Estate Marlborough Rosé 2025
Vit Management Ltd Champion Organic Wine - Rimapere Plot 101 Sauvignon Blanc 2024
The Coterie Wine of Provenance - Rapaura Springs Bouldevines Single Vineyard Chardonnay 2024
Central Express Ltd Champion Wairau Valley - Mount Riley Marlborough Riesling 2025
Fruitfed Supplies Champion Southern Valleys - ROHE Southern Valleys Pinot Noir by Rapaura Springs 2024
Circuit Logistics Champion Awatere & South Marlborough - Yealands Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2025
NZ Wine Centre Legacy Award, sponsored by Marlborough Research Centre - Isabel Estate Wild Barrique Chardonnay 2018 / 2020 / 2022
W: Full results at marlboroughwineshow.com
