KEY POINTS:
New Zealanders have carried away the top awards at the world's largest wine competition.
Villa Maria Estate's group winemaker Alastair Maling was named the International White Winemaker of the Year, and Bald Hills Vineyard's pinot noir was declared the champion red at the 2007 International Wine Challenge in London.
The Bald Hills pinot also won the sustainable trophy for its environmentally friendly production methods, and New Zealander Samantha Connew won South Australian winery Wirra Wirra the International Red Winemaker of the Year prize.
"I was terrified - as anyone who's anyone in the wine industry seemed to be in that room," Ms Connew said.
"It was like the Oscars of the wine industry"' she said.
The International Wine Challenge, which drew 9358 entrants this year, is judged by a panel of more than 465 winemakers, merchants and writers from around the world, including more than 40 Masters of Wine.
Mr Maling, a Master of Wine, did not travel to London for the award, which was accepted on his behalf by Villa Maria Estate founder George Fistonich.
Mr Maling knew the winery was up for some awards, but did not realise he was on the shortlist for white winemaker of the year.
Mr Fistonich broke the news to him on Thursday morning shortly after the gala awards ceremony, when Mr Maling happened to be judging a wine show.
"I happened to be doing the champagne class, which was the perfect way to celebrate. For me personally, it's a great honour to receive it, but also it's fantastic recognition for the team of winemakers and viticulturists that I have under me."
It adds to his growing list of awards, including Champion Winemaker at the 2004 New Zealand Wine Society's Royal Easter Show awards.
Like Mr Maling, Ms Connew is a Lincoln University viticulture and oenology graduate.
She worked around the world in wineries before joining Wirra Wirra in 2001, bringing her skills and experience - and a chocolate brown Labrador, Murphy, who has now assumed the mantle of "winery dog".
The win also represents a huge boost for Blair and Estelle Hunt of Bald Hills in Central Otago.
"As small players we are in awe of what has happened," said Mr Hunt.
"However, what is really important about these awards is that they speak volumes for New Zealand pinot noir.
"New Zealand," he said, "is obviously so well known for sauvignon blanc but we are now proving that our pinot noirs can compete with the best in the world."
