NZ Chardonnay crowned Wine of the Year in U.K.

Isabel Estate’s Wild Barrique Chardonnay 2022 has been crowned Wine of the Year at the London Wine Competition.

Now in its eighth year, the competition has become a highly regarded global event in which each wine is judged on three key criteria: quality, value, and packaging, which is designed to mirror real-world buying behaviour.

The judging panels comprise Masters of Wine, Master Sommeliers, trade buyers and industry experts who blind-tasted, assessed and scored hundreds of wines from more than 50 countries.

It is the first time Isabel Estate has entered the awards and Chief Winemaker Jeremy McKenzie says the team is blown away by the result. “It’s a particularly exciting time as we are in the throes of harvest and busy banking the 2025 Wild Barrique Chardonnay, which we believe has the bones to be another top wine in the future.

Isabel Estate Chief Winemaker Jeremy McKenzie

“Since its first vintage in 2016, this wine has performed incredibly well – loved by consumers, scoring highly and earning critical acclaim,” says McKenzie. “That said, 2022 was a truly exceptional Chardonnay at the Estate and has collected some notable gongs over the years. It’s one of those wines that continues to capture attention with its complexity, concentration and length, and it’s incredibly age-worthy, making it a perfect addition to the cellar.”

D: Isabel Estate is distributed through EuroVintage.