Church Road, a historic winery located in Hawke’s Bay and founded in 1897 on its original site, has received a prestigious nomination for the 2023 Red Wine Producer of the Year award at the renowned International Wine and Spirit Competition (IWSC).
The Hawke’s Bay winery, the sole New Zealand representative in these international accolades, celebrated their nomination at the event held in London last night.
The judging panel, comprised of esteemed international experts, lauded Church Road for their exceptional standards in producing Syrah and Bordeaux varieties.
This marks the second consecutive year that Church Road has stood as the exclusive New Zealand winery nominee in this prestigious category, affirming their consistent excellence in the field.
Chris Scott, Chief Winemaker at Church Road since 2005 and one of New Zealand’s most highly acclaimed winemakers, expressed his pride in this recognition. He remarked, “It’s an honor to witness our red wines acknowledged at these awards, signifying the exceptional quality emanating from Hawke’s Bay. This achievement is a testament to the vibrancy and equilibrium achievable in this unique corner of the world, and it pays tribute to the incredibly dedicated artisans comprising our small team.”
Chris Scott’s remarkable contributions to the winemaking industry have garnered him numerous accolades, including being named New Zealand Winemaker of the Year by Winestate Magazine in 2013, 2016, 2020, 2021, and 2022. He was also awarded New Zealand International Wine Show Winemaker of the Year in 2017, and the Royal Easter Show Wine Awards Winemaker of the Year in 2020. Furthermore, he has earned a place in the Drinks Business Top 100 Master Winemakers, solidifying his reputation as an industry leader.
