About

The Marlborough Wine Show, sponsored by QuayConnect, is a regional wine competition run by Wine Marlborough Ltd.

The aim of the show is to:

  • Champion Marlborough wine excellence and wine provenance

  • Promote sub regionality and diversity of wines grown in New Zealand’s largest wine region

  • Promote and foster wine show judging talent within the region

The Marlborough Wine Show was created and built by Belinda Jackson and Margaret Cresswell in 2011. Wine Marlborough, the regional winegrower representative body, purchased the show after 2017 with the aim of continuing its legacy.

2025 Key Dates

Entries Close - 10 September
Samples Due - 3 October
Judging - 15-17 October
Marlborough Wine Grand Tasting - 18 October
Results Notified - 23 October
Celebration & Trophy Presentation - 14 November 2025

Awards

Wine Marlborough believes the show plays an important role in developing the reputation of Marlborough wine, as well as being a key event to celebrate the brilliant winemaking and viticultural talent in the region.

The competition rewards top-performing wines with trophies, gold, silver, and bronze medals scored using the 100-point system. All wines are tasted blind under strict wine show protocols.

Please visit the Awards page to learn more about these trophies and view previous results. We would like to thank our partners for their support of these special awards.

MEDAL IMAGES & STICKERS

Judging Team

Featured
Stu Marfell
Stu Marfell

Stu was born and raised in the Awatere Valley, not far from the Vavasour Vineyard. A graduate of Lincoln University with a Bachelor of Viticulture and Oenology, Stu joined Vavasour Wines in February 2003 as an assistant winemaker. Stu became chief winemaker in 2007. He has judged at many shows including Air NZ wine awards, Marlborough wine show and New world wine awards.

Guest Judges

Featured
Toni Paterson MW
Toni Paterson MW

Toni Paterson MW is a leading Australian wine critic, commentator and judge.  Her obsession with wine spans three decades, with her knowledge and passion underpinned by training in science and oenology.  During her extensive writing career, she has reviewed thousands of wines and has written in detail about key winemakers and vineyards around the world.

Paterson is a member of the Institute of Masters of Wine, having passed the rigorous examination on her first attempt, and was awarded the prestigious Madame Lily Bollinger Medal for tasting excellence.

Paterson has a broad understanding of the global wine industry, having worked locally as a winemaker, and internationally in public relations and marketing. Her involvement as Deputy Chair of the Wine List of the Year Awards in Australia and China provides her with deep insights into the importance of wine in restaurants.

Paterson's three-decade-long wine judging career, both within Australia and abroad, gives her a unique perspective on style, trends, and vintage character. In addition to international judging stints, she serves as the Chair of Judges at a host of Australian wine shows and is a member of The Halliday Wine Companion tasting panel.

Sam Kim
Sam Kim

Sam has been involved for the past 36 years in New Zealand hospitality, wine retail, importing and distribution, as well as running wine courses and master classes.

Sam holds a Certificate in Winemaking from EIT (Hawke’s Bay), and has been judging wine for the last 27 years at various wine competitions and magazines, including the New Zealand International Wine Show, The Royal Easter Show Wine Awards, the Spiegelau International Wine Competition, The Air New Zealand Wine Awards, The New World Wine Awards, New Zealand Aromatic Wine Competition, Marlborough Wine Show, Decanter Asia Wine Awards, Cowra Wine Show and Cuisine Magazine.

He is the writer and publisher of wine review website, Wine Orbit (www.wineorbit.co.nz).

Panel Leaders

Panel Leader Judge
Natalie Christensen
Natalie Christensen

Nat is the Chief Winemaker at Yealands Estate, with a winemaking career spanning over 17 years. She has been a senior judge at a number of New Zealand wine shows and has also judged in London at the International Wine Competition. In 2018 she was named one of the most influential women in wine in the world by UK publication The Drinks Business and in July this year, was named White Winemaker of the Year at the International Wine Challenge. Nat has a love of bright pants and star gazing.

Murray Cook
Murray Cook

Murray has nearly two decades in wine since he began working in the vineyards of Central Otago in 2003. From there, he has enjoyed stints in Australia’s Yarra Valley, Champagne and Burgundy. Returning to New Zealand in 2008 he headed to Marlborough, working as a winemaker at Villa Maria Estate before starting with Dog Point Vineyard in late 2013.

Kyle Thompson
Kyle Thompson

Kyle is a Senior Winemaker at Saint Clair Family Estate. After studying food science, Kyle began his working life in the dairy industry in microbiology. Kyles interest in the wine industry began in earnest while living overseas. After vintages in Bordeaux and Tuscany, and further winemaking study, he returned home. Kyle has judged at many shows over the past decade and enjoys judging in New Zealand as it puts his expertise to the test and allows for a look at the quality and diverse range of New Zealand wines first-hand.

Senior Judges

Featured
Krystal palmer
Krystal palmer

After four years tripping around the globe, Krystal returned home to Marlborough and graduated with her Bachelor of Viticulture and Oenology from Lincoln in 2012. Krystal has experience across many facets of winemaking, including assistant viticulturist and winemaker, and has done vintages in Marlborough, Waipara, United States and China.

Tom Dixon
Tom Dixon

Tom Dixon is a Winemaker at Villa Maria’s Marlborough Winery. After spending a few years chasing winters, snowboarding, he finally decided to take his ever-growing passion for wine to the next level by pursuing a career in making it, so he moved to Hawkes Bay to study Winemaking. His first vintage was with Vidal Wines in 2010 and has spent time gaining experience with other notable New Zealand wineries. He joined Villa Maria in 2012 as a Cellar Hand in Auckland before doing a stint as Nightshift Pinot Winemaker in 2014. He was then given the opportunity to relocate to Marlborough permanently in 2015 as the Assistant winemaker before moving into the role of Winemaker.

Emily Gaspark-clark
Emily Gaspark-clark

Emily is originally from Auckland and has been involved in the wine industry for over 10 years. After graduating with a Bachelor in Viticulture and Oenology from Lincoln University she worked in different roles around New Zealand and overseas in France, Canada, and Australia. In 2017 she moved back to Marlborough to Spy Valley and took up the role of Assistant Winemaker before moving into the Winemaker role in 2021.

Jeremy McKenzie
Jeremy McKenzie

Award-winning winemaker, Jeremy McKenzie is a seasoned Marlborough expert who focuses on crafting wine that reflects sense of place. Growing up on a farm in North Canterbury, Jeremy is a real Kiwi hunter-gatherer, adventure man and winemaker. After completing his studies, a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and a double Post Graduate Diploma in Viticulture and Oenology and Forensic Science, Jeremy’s knowledge and passion took him to industry roles in France, Australia, and the USA where he gained extensive winemaking experience at some of the leading wineries in the world. Jeremy has brought his passion to craft exceptional quality wines along with his wealth of international knowledge, home to Marlborough to continue his endless pursuit of winemaking perfection at Isabel Estate.

Helen Morrison
Helen Morrison

Since graduating as the top female student in her Bachelor of Viticulture and Oenology Degree at Lincoln University in 2005, Helen has worked across many New Zealand wineries, including Forrest Wines and Villa Maria. Helen is currently Chief Winemaker at Booster Wine Group.

Associate Judges

Featured
Kerrie Stonge

Kerrie is a winemaker at Spring Creek Vintners and has worked in the wine industry for almost 25 years. Born and raised in Taranaki, she holds a master's degree in wine science and a WSET level 3 certification. She has previous winemaking experience in research as well as in wineries. As a result of being based in Marlborough for over 20 years, she has developed a deep understanding of regional expressions which adds to her scientific expertise and practical winemaking knowledge.

Nick Lamain
Nick Lamain

Growing up amidst the vineyards of Marlborough, Nick has always felt a natural connection to the wine industry. What began as summer vineyard work as a teenager quickly blossomed into a dedicated career. After completing a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology and a postgraduate diploma in Viticulture and Oenology, Nick honed his craft in some of the world's most renowned wineries across Australia, Oregon, and Germany. His expertise and passion enable him to craft wines that authentically reflect the unique terroir of the Marlborough region, seamlessly blending international practices with a profound respect for Marlborough's inherent qualities. In 2024, Nick was awarded the title of Marlborough Young Winemaker of the Year.

Ellie hobbs
Ellie hobbs

Ellie Hobbs, originally from Auckland, is the Assistant Winemaker at Vavasour Winery. Her passion for science and travel led her to pursue a Bachelor of Viticulture and Oenology at Lincoln University. Since graduating she has made Marlborough her home and has broadened her expertise by completing overseas vintages in France, Australia, and Austria. Ellie has been involved in the show four times since 2020, and has been a lead steward twice. With a detailed understanding of the back room, she is excited to experience her first year of judging. Ellie is known for her brightly coloured leggings and delicious cookies.

Arthur griffoul
Arthur griffoul

Arthur runs Soif Wine Shop in Blenheim and is a certified sommelier with a background in Michelin-starred dining, wine programs across NZ, and vineyard + cellar work here and overseas. For him, wine is all about connection — sharing stories, bottles, and moments.

Arthur is looking forward to judging this year’s show and celebrating the strength of the industry.

David Foes
David Foes

David is the Operations Winemaker for The Coterie - a small Organically focused winery in Marlborough. He has lived in Marlborough for 12 years with stints at Yealands, NZ Wineries and Marisco before joining The Coterie in 2023. He has overseas experience in Oregon, Burgundy and the Yarra Valley.

Josh Lee
Josh Lee

Josh Lee is the winemaker at Huia and has also worked with VinLink, Whitehaven, Dog Point and Greywacke in Marlborough. After obtaining his WSET level 3 and a BSc with Honours in Viticulture and Oenology from Plumpton College in the UK, he went on to make wine in Greece, California, Australia, Germany, the UK, Spain and Central Otago where he was responsible for Akarua’s traditional method sparkling program. He has been a wine judge in both New Zealand and Burgundy and he is passionate about traditional method sparkling wine and loves Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir. Although he has worked all over the world, Marlborough is his tūrangawaewae, his place to stand.

Sponsors

We are very appreciative of the support of our sponsors. These companies are as passionate as we are about the Marlborough wine industry and we are grateful to have them on board.