Church Road Winemaker Chris Scott named New Zealand Winemaker of the Year
Hawke’s Bay winemaker Chris Scott has today been named New Zealand Winemaker of the Year 2013 by Winestate Magazine.
With a passion for Chardonnay and red blend winemaking, and the support of an outstanding viticulture and winemaking
team, Chris has been crafting award-winning Hawke’s Bay wines for thirteen years.
“Winemaking at Church Road is a team effort,” says Chris, on receiving his award today. “Our vineyard team have an
outstanding knowledge of the region and the individual vineyards, and deliver outstanding fruit year after year. Our
cellar team has a dedication to wine quality that far exceeds what anyone could hope for. I know everyone at Church Road
is extremely proud of the wines we make and this win reflects the passion and commitment of the entire team.”
Chris began working during his summer holidays in the vineyards and cellar door, before joining Church Road as a cellar
hand in 1998 and working his way to Senior Winemaker in 2005. Since then, Chris has been the driving force behind Church
Road TOM Chardonnay and Church Road TOM Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot, which are widely regarded as two of New Zealand’s
most iconic wines.
As well as these traditional Hawke’s Bay styles, Chris has overseen the introduction of new wines to the range including
Rhone varieties Syrah and Viognier, and helped to evolve new wine varietals in Hawke’s Bay including award-winning
Marzemino and Sauvignon Gris.
Michael Cooper, Winestate Editor for New Zealand said “‘Church Road Winery has for decades produced some of Hawke’s
Bay’s – and New Zealand’s – greatest value wines. It also shines at the top end of the market, crafting some exceptional
Chardonnays, Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blancs, Syrahs and Cabernet/Merlot blends.”
The Winestate New Zealand Winemaker of the Year award is given to the individual who achieves the highest score from the
top 10 different wines judged throughout the year.
ends