Church Road winemaker wins top award for fifth time

Chief Winemaker at Church Road, Chris Scott, has been crowned New Zealand Winemaker of the Year for a record fifth time by the New Zealand's Winesate Magazine.

It is the first time in the award's history that a winemaker has been awarded the title five times, with Scott taking the in 2013, 2016, 2020, 2021 and 2022.

He said, “This award is as much for the team here at Church Road as it is for me. We have such a huge amount of skill, experience and dedication amongst the Church Road family and an incredible fruit resource from some of the very best vineyards in Hawke’s Bay. It is a bit of a dream really, to do what we do and we’re lucky to be able to do it in such a beautiful part of the world.”

The Church Road 1 Terraces Chardonnay 2021 was awarded Winestate Chardonnay of the Year (Australia and New Zealand), New Zealand Wine of the Year, while Church Road 1 Merlot 2020 won Merlot of the Year.

Pernod Ricard NZ acquired the winery in 2005 and plantings in the vineyards date back to 1897. Pernod Ricard Winemakers NZ was named New Zealand Wine Company of the Year for the second year in a row.

Church Road 1 Terraces Chardonnay 2021 is sourced from the Terraces Vineyard, an old river terrace on the western bank of Tuki Tuki River, sheltered from the south by Te Mata Peak but exposed to the cooling sea breeze. This site produces full, yet fragrant Chardonnay with a spine of minerality.

The Church Road 1 Merlot 2020 is sourced from the Gimblett Vineyard, in the famed Gimblett Gravels winegrowing district. This warm gravel soil typically produces darkly fruited structural wines that respond well to cellaring.