New World Wine Awards 2025: Hawke’s Bay wineries score five top-50 spots

Judges sniff, sip, and pick the winning wines at the 2025 New World Wine Awards.

Hawke’s Bay wines have continued to impress at this year’s New World Wine Awards.

The 2025 awards saw more than 1000 wines from New Zealand and around the globe go head-to-head in a rigorous blind-tasting test.

Judged by an elite panel of independent wine experts, the 50 winning bottles were chosen based on aroma, flavour, balance, and value – without any labels or price cues.

This resulted in a curated list of 50 outstanding wines, all selling for under $30 and exclusive to New World supermarkets.

Of this year’s winners, three Hawke’s Bay wineries managed to score five spots in the top 50, with Church Road securing three spots and Squawking Magpie and Villa Maria each claiming one.

The winning wines from the region are:

• Church Road, Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
• Squawking Magpie, The Chatterer Merlot Cabernet 2022
• Church Road, Sauvignon Blanc 2024
• Villa Maria, Private Bin Merlot Hawke’s Bay 2024
• Church Road, McDonald Syrah 2021

Church Road’s McDonald Syrah also took out the Champion Red Wine in the Top of the Drops section of the awards, with the judges calling it a bold, supple syrah, packed with dark berry fruit and spice.

“This year’s Top 50 is a celebration of diversity, discovery, and deliciousness,” said judging chair Jen Parr.

“From bold reds and elegant whites to vibrant rosés and festive bubbles, there’s something here for every taste and every occasion.”