Kawau Bay Kitchen’s Top Picks of Award Winning Wines

The Air New Zealand Wine Awards celebrates excellence in New Zealand winemaking and is widely considered to be the country’s most prestigious wine competition. New Zealand Winegrowers, the national organisation for the country's 1,600 grape growers and winemakers, has owned and organised the competition for over 40 years.

This November, a Central Otago Pinot Noir won the top prize at the 30th award competition.  With 18 award-winning wines from diverse locations all over New Zealand, we did the difficult job of narrowing down the list to a few stand-out choices. 

Our Favorite Whites

Stoneleigh Pinot Gris Marlborough 2016

Its creamy, richly textured and opulent with poached pear and vanilla characters. Very satisfying and delicious.

Babydoll Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2016

With notes of passion fruit and grapefruit, the sweet fruit characters on the palate and fresh acidity combine to create an expressive, classy Sauvignon Blanc. Beautiful with barbequed fresh seafood.

Wairau River Pinot Gris Marlborough 2016

A fabulous dry rendition displaying elegant aromas of mandarin, pear and floral enhanced by a smooth finish.

Our Favorite Reds

Lowburn Ferry Home Block Pinot Noir Central Otago 2014

Irresistibly seductive, silky and complex, showing dark cherry and earthy truffle notes with nuances of game and mixed spice characters.

Yealands Estate Single Vineyard Pinot Noir Marlborough 2015

A crowd-pleasing style, it’s filled with dark fruit, cranberry, spice and mixed nut characters with a silky-smooth palate.

Villa Maria Reserve Gimblett Gravels Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot Hawke's Bay 2014

It feels luxurious and gratifying; notes of cassis, cigar box, spice and violet are combined with concentrated and finely textured palate.