An Auckland chardonnay has won the champion's trophy at this year's Romeo Bragato Wine Awards.
Villa Maria's single-vineyard 2011 Ihumatao chardonnay was also named champion chardonnay and also won the sustainability award.
It was made from grapes grown by Brett Donaldson at the Ihumatao vineyard nestled in the crater of a volcano near Auckland airport.
There were more than 530 entries this year and 49 gold medals, 109 silver and 226 bronze were awarded.
The theme of the Romeo Bragato conference, which finishes in Blenheim on Friday, is "driving the export wine advantage through sustainability".
