Hawke's Bay has been named as one of the top wine regions in the world by UK wine drinkers.
The region ranked at 14 in a survey of wine consumers, ahead of Australia's Barossa Valley at 15.
It's the first time Hawke's Bay has been named on the shortlist, released by the
Wine and Spirit Trade Association.
Results showed 9 per cent of regular wine drinkers had purchased Hawke's Bay wine in the past three months, said Lyn Bevin, executive officer of Hawke's Bay Winegrowers.
"This is clear evidence that Hawke's Bay wine is now recognised and purchased on a regular basis in the world's most mature wine market," she said.
"It is a huge accomplishment given our size and distance from the market."
Ms Bevin said to rank ahead of Barossa, Australia's most well-known red wine region, was something to be proud of.
She put the achievement down to international events held by the region over the previous years, holding regional cabernet merlot and syrah forums for international guests, and the quality of wines shown by Hawke's Bay producers.
Marlborough ranked at 10 on the list, which was topped by the Rioja region in Spain.
In the same survey, merlot remained the top drop for UK red wine drinkers.
Chardonnay led the white wines followed by sauvignon blanc.
Nicholas Buck, Hawke's Bay Winegrowers chairman, said this showed Hawkes Bay's best wines were in demand from the major market.
Top 15
The top wine-producing regions, as named by UK wine consumers:
1. Rioja
2. Bordeaux
3. Cotes de Rhone
4. Champagne
5. Chablis
6. Chianti
7. Burgundy
8. Napa Valley
9. Beaujolais
10. Marlborough
11. Prosecco
12. Vin de Pays d'Oc
13. Chateauneuf du Pape
14. Hawke's Bay
15. Barossa Valley
