Yealands Wines Chief Winemaker, Natalie Christensen, has been awarded the White Winemaker of the Year trophy at the International Wine Challenge (IWC) awards ceremony held in London this week.
Yealands also won 12 medals (one for every wine entered by the producer) and the New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc Trophy for the Yealands Estate Single Block S1 Sauvignon Blanc 2022.
Christensen says the win, the first for a New Zealander since 2008, was humbling.
“The IWC is hugely competitive, and I was up against some incredible winemakers from wineries that are hundreds of years old. Yealands is so young in comparison!” she says.
“Marlborough is well known for its Sauvignon Blanc, but to have a range of varietals performing so well in shows is really meaningful as it shows the breadth of our winemaking ability outside of our flagship Sauv.”
IWC Co-Chair Oz Clarke praised Christensen’s technical ability.
“She is totally in tune with how to produce wines that give an intense sense of place,” he says.
“It’s also wonderful to see the White Winemaker of the Year award go to a female winemaker.
“This noteworthy accomplishment not only celebrates Natalie’s exceptional talent and expertise but also lays the foundation for increased recognition and expanded opportunities for female winemakers around the world.”
For the full trophy and medal results, click here.
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