"The region's climate and our vineyards bring elements of freshness to the wine, so it's not too big and heavy, but has concentration of flavour and depth of complexity," Mr Crichton said.
These were all qualities which great wines should have, but not all parts of the world could deliver.
Mr Crichton described his chardonnay as a complex wine with a nice combination of oak and fruit flavours.
He credits the quality of his production team as key to the wine's success.
Judges described Mr Crichton's chardonnay as a distinctly modern New Zealand chardonnay, full of gunsmoke, grapefruit skin, toast, vanilla and sizzling butter aromas.
White nectarine and peach flavours greeted you on the palate, the DWWA tasting team said. It was broad, rich and creamy, yet managed to retain a distinct elegance, with lovely length and a pleasingly dry finish.
Mr Crichton's interest in fine wine developed during his formative drinking years in the United Kingdom.
Exposure to French Burgundy, Bordeaux and German riesling drove his passion and got him hooked on the idea of winemaking.
"Once you expose your palate to these wines it really broadens your appreciation," he said.
The Vidal Legacy Hawke's Bay Chardonnay 2012 is available in selected restaurants and fine-wine retail stores.
