With 2150 entries, the 2006 New Zealand International Wine Show is the largest wine competition ever held in this country. Many of the judging classes, notably Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Riesling, Shiraz, Viognier and Pinot Gris attracted more entries within their variety than ever before in New Zealand.

A total of 26 senior wine judges, after three fantastic days, awarded 121 gold medals, 423 silver and 934 bronze medals.

Our senior judges, led by Chairman of Judges Bob Campbell MW, included four fellow Masters of Wine, leading winemakers and experienced wine industry personnel. This was the most experienced judging team ever assembled in New Zealand.

The Judging Team

Chairman of Judges: Bob Campbell MW
Overseas Guest Judge: Kym Milne MW
John Hancock, Peter Cowley, Phil Brodie, Steve Smith MW, Ivan Donaldson, Jane Skilton MW, Warren Gibson, Raymond Chan, David Webster, Kay Morganty, Oliver Masters, Jeff Clarke, Sue Courtney, Larry McKenna, Sam Kim, Corey Ryan, Rod McDonald, Helen Frith, Alastair Maling MW, Evert Nijzink, Ben Dugdale, John Buchanan, Corey Hall.

The Results

Click on the medal links above to access the Trophy, Gold, Silver and Bronze medal winners.

A Legend of New Zealand Wine

Kevin Judd, chief winemaker for Cloudy Bay Wines and photographer extraordinaire, has been named as the 2006 recipient of the George Fistonich Medal. To read more about this living legend of New Zealand wine, click here.

Wine Writers' Challenge

Twelve of New Zealand's leading wine writers not involved with the judging of the Show were invited to taste all the gold medal winning wines and pick the wines they thought had won the Trophies. The winner of the inaugural Wine Writers' Challenge, is Stephen Bennett MW, who correctly picked seven of the fourteen varietal Trophy winners. An amazing effort by Stephen.

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