Wild Rock's Hawke's Bay winery has scooped one of the top three accolades at the recent New World Wine Awards.
It's 2010 Pania Chardonnay took out the title of Champion White - beating off about 500 other whites in a category that included entries from Australia, France, Spain, Argentina, Italy and Chile.
A total of 162 wineries presented 1008 wines for the competition in which the entries must all retail for less than $25 - ensuring that consumers are guaranteed access to wines that are the best example of their type but at affordable prices. As well as taking the top white award, the Mere Rd, State Highway 50-based Wild Rock Winery also picked up a gold medal, one of six handed out to Hawke's Bay wines.
Villa Maria picked up two golds for its Cellar Selection Viognier and Private Bin Viognier, Vidals for its Reserve Series Chardonnay, Squawking Magpie for its Chatterer Syrah and VNO for its Hawke's Bay Pinot Gris.
A total of 146 Bay wines entered, 69 of them bagging medals (six gold, 13 silver and 50 bronze).