To say that members of the Ibbotson family were thrilled this month at the Marlborough Wine Show is to make a major understatement. Not only did they win Champion Wine of the Show but it was for a Sauvignon Blanc, the region's most planted grape variety, this country's most exported wine and, frankly, a wine that is so well known that many New Zealanders do not take it seriously. Until a great example comes along. 

The 2021 Saint Clair Wairau Reserve has been rewarded as just such a wine. It was awarded the Quay Connect Wine of the Show Trophy and the WineWorks Champion Sauvignon Blanc Trophy from a total of 544 wines tasted at the Marlborough Wine Show this year over three days by experienced judges.

The winery also won the Classic Oak Products Champion Pinot Noir Trophy for its 2020 Saint Clair Pioneer Block 15 Strip Block Pinot Noir 2020. 

This Marlborough Wine Show promotes diversity and celebrates the differences between Sauvignon Blancs from different sub regions in the wider area, which is New Zealand’s largest wine region.