Three trophies, a gold medal and 96/100 - can you ask for more?
Every vineyard has a story behind it and that story gained a lot more significance this week for Nga Waka Lease Block Pinot Noir 2024 from Martinborough, which won four trophies, a gold medal and 96/100 points at the 2026 International Wine and Spirits Challenge.
The Challenge has forged a name for putting wines through their paces rigorously every year since it was founded in 1969, so it's no mean feat to gain high scores, let alone so many trophies. And while this is a significant win for the small town of Martinborough and the wider Wairarapa wine region, it's equally as important for New Zealand Pinot Noir.
The winning wine comes from a 0.8 hectare vineyard on Puruatanga Road, Martinborough. It was planted in the late 1990s by members of Nga Waka winery founder, Roger Parkinson’s family, and remains important to the new owners of the winery - Jay Short and Peggy Dupey. They purchased the winery from Parkinson in 2015, retaining him as winemaker until two years ago when Paul Mason (formerly from a two decade tenure nearby at Martinborough Vineyards) took over the winemaking helm.
Wine of the week
2024 Nga Waka Lease Block Pinot Noir RRP $60
Winemaker Paul Mason describes 2024 as a dream vintage with a cool spring keeping yields low and a warm dry summer giving conditions that were conducive to structure, concentration of flavour - which the 2024 Lease Block Pinot Noir has in spades. This wine towers in the glass with its powerful earthy core and attractive upfront fruit framed by a tight structure that clearly has outstanding potential to age - as well as impress right now.
Winning scores... The 2024 Nga Waka Lease Block Pinot Noir won 96/100 points and a gold medal at the 2026 International Wine Challenge (IWSC) as well as the International Pinot Noir Trophy, Martinborough Pinot Noir Trophy, New Zealand Pinot Noir Trophy, New Zealand Red Trophy.
