Villa Maria's Chardonnay the star at Hawke's Bay A & P Bayleys Wine Awards

Chardonnay is back baby! The varietal swept the pool of plaudits at the Hawke's Bay's A&P Bayleys Wine Awards. Photo / Warren Buckland

After a period in the fashion wilderness, Chardonnay is clearly back in style, after the tipple took all the plaudits at last night's Hawke's Bay's A&P Bayleys Wine Awards.

In the 18th anniversary of the awards Villa Maria Single Vineyard Keltern Chardonnay 2017 was named the Hawke's Bay A &P Bayleys Wine Award Champion at a sold-out black tie event watched by 500 people at the Waikoko Gardens of the Showgrounds Hawke's Bay Tomoana.

The Villa Maria team: Darragh Hughes, Jonathan Hamlet, Andrew Leioda, Gordon Russell, Richard Painter, Cameron Cross and Paul Robinson. Photo / Paul Taylor

Hawke's Bay A & P Society general manager Sally Jackson said the awards were the longest running regional wine competition and were about celebrating Hawke's Bay excellence.

Chairman of the judges Rod Easthope said this award show was the most exciting he had been involved in.

"The sheer diversity of wines from our vast region of differing soils and microclimates make for two full days of fascinating evaluation," Easthope said.

"In the past, local winemakers dominated the panels, however, the trend in recent years is to utilise a greater diversity of wine experience, whether that be geographical or vocational.

"Having a balance of technical palates alongside commentators, who often have more contemporary knowledge of what works in the market, is now critical to ensure relevant results."

Hawke's Bay's A&P Bayleys Wine Awards.
Hawke's Bay A & P Bayleys Wine Awards Champion Wine of the Show:

Villa Maria Single Vineyard Keltern Chardonnay 2017

Hawke's Bay A & P Bayleys Wine Awards Reserve Champion Wine of the Show:

Villa Maria Reserve Gimblett Gravels Hawkes Bay Syrah 2016

Jenny Neilson House of Travel Hawke's Bay Cellar Door:

Trinity Hill

Logan Stone – Champion Merlot:

Church Road McDonald Series Merlot 2015

No9 – Champion Re Blends Cabernet Sauvignon Dominant:

Trinity Hill Gimblett Gravels The Gimblett 2016

Bay Mazda Hawke's Bay – Champion Red Blends Merlot Dominant:

Te Awa Single Estate Gimblett Gravels Hawkes Bay Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon 2016

Fluidex Transport Ltd – Champion Syrah:

Villa Maria Reserve Gimblett Gravels Hawkes Bay Syrah 2016

Moore Stephens Markham's – Champion Pinot Noir:

Best in Class: Sileni Estates Estate Selection Plateau Pinot Noir 2017

Great Things Grow Here – Champion Other Premium Red Varietals and Blends:

Church Road 1 Malbec 2016

ATI Engineering Ltd – Champion Chardonnay:

Villa Maria Single Vineyard Keltern Chardonnay 2017

Hawke's Bay Wine Company – Champion Sauvignon Blanc and / or Semillon:

Best in Class: Church Road Sauvignon Blanc 2017

Somerset Smith Partners – Champion Pinot Gris:

Esk Valley Hawkes Bay Pinot Gris 2018

Kauri NZ Ltd – Champion Premium White Varietals:

Villa Maria Single Vineyard Braided Gravels Albariño 2017

Hurford Parker Insurance Brokers Ltd – Champion Sweet Wines:

Leveret Reserve Hawke's Bay Late Harvest Viognier 2016

Langley Twigg – Champion Outstanding Wine of the Provenance Class:

Sacred Hill Special Selection Riflemans Chardonnay 2016 / 2009/ 2006

Connec+ - Champion Rosé:

Esk Valley Hawkes Bay Rosé 2018

Wineworks HB – Champion Sparkling Wine:

Church Road Blanc de Noir 2014

NZ Frost Fans – Champion Export Wine of the Show:

Church Road McDonald Series Merlot 2015

Vintech Pacific Wine Technologies – Champion Commercial White or Rosé Wine:

Esk Valley Hawkes Bay Rosé 2018

O-I New Zealand – Champion Commercial Red Wine:

Church Road McDonald Series Merlot 2015

EIT – Best Student Wine:

Sanne Witteveen Methode Rosé