Did you know that New Zealand has a winery ranking that is updated every year?
The rankings are published by a team called The Real Review , led by one of New Zealand's most renowned wine writers, Bob Campbell MW (Masters of Wine) .
The winery rankings published by The Real Review are well-known in the New Zealand wine industry, and some consumers use these rankings as a reference when purchasing wine.
In this article, we will introduce Bob Campbell MW, a leading figure in the NZ wine industry, The Real Review, and the 2024 rankings that were just released this year.
Who is Bob Campbell MW?
Bob Campbell MW is the second person in New Zealand to pass the Master of Wine exam, the world's most difficult wine examination. There are currently only 414 people in the world with this qualification.
▶︎Learn more about the Master of Wine here
He is a well-known wine writer in NZ and a leading NZ wine educator.
To date, he has held wine lectures and seminars in various parts of the world, including in New Zealand, Australia, Singapore, Malaysia and London, with a total of more than 22,000 participants.
Bob Campbell was also a recipient of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM) in 2019 for his contributions to the wine industry. The Order of Merit was established by Queen Elizabeth II of New Zealand in 1996 and is an honorary award bestowed upon individuals who have demonstrated meritorious and outstanding effort, ability and contribution in any area to the Crown and the people of New Zealand.
Bob Campbell continues to serve as a judge for national and international wine awards and is a regular contributor to wine and food publications.
I think it's safe to say that Bob Campbell is one of the most influential wine journalists in the New Zealand wine world.
What is The Real Review?
The Real Review is an international team led by Bob Campbell MW who taste, review and evaluate wines from Australia, New Zealand and the UK, assessing approximately 10,000 wines each year.
The winery evaluation involves tasting each winery's top five most recent wines and using a proprietary algorithm to determine and announce the rankings each year based on that evaluation.
In wine competitions, there are prizes that require an entry fee, but tastings at The Real Review are free of charge. Since there is no profit from the wineries, The Real Review is said to be "highly transparent" and "objective" in New Zealand.
▶︎ The Real Review Official Website
The Real Review 2024 Winery Rankings
Here we introduce this year's winery rankings.
| 1st place | Felton Road |
|---|---|
| 2nd place | Destiny Bay Wines |
| 3rd place | Church Road |
| 4th place | Ata Rangi |
| 5th place | Craggy Range |
| 6th place | Obsidian |
| 7th place | Villa Maria |
| 8th place | Dry River Wines |
| 9th place | Fromm Winery |
| 10th place | Trinity Hill |
Which wineries are in the top 10 and can you buy wine from Bokumo Wine?
Here we introduce wines from wineries ranked within the top 10 by The Real Review that are available for purchase at Bokumo Wine.
1. Felton Road
Image source: Village Cellars official website
Felton Road is one of NZ's top wineries.
The Pinot Noir first released in 1997 quickly captivated wine fans around the world, and the winery has become one of the most highly acclaimed in the world.
They make wine using a more natural approach, including biodynamic grape cultivation and "gravity flow," which moves grapes and wine without defying gravity.
When I actually had the opportunity to visit the winery, I was surprised at how compact yet functional the system was. I was impressed by the fact that they wanted to ferment the grapes with as little stress as possible.
▶︎Purchase here
2. Destiny Bay Wines
Destiny Bay Wines is a boutique winery founded in 2000 on Waiheke Island in Auckland, and is known as "the maker of some of the world's best Cabernet blends."
This is a small-scale winery, producing approximately 2,000 cases per year, and only produces three types of Bordeaux-type wine.
Destiny Bay has been gaining a lot of international acclaim in recent years. Prices are also rising every year, so if you like Bordeaux-style reds, it might be a good idea to get some now and store it in your cellar.
▶︎Purchase here
4th place Atalangi
Image source: Ata Rangi official website
Founded in 1980, Ata Rangi means 'a new beginning' in Maori.
Known as a pioneer of Martinborough, it is praised by many critics as being in the top five wineries in New Zealand.
In particular, the Pinot Noir produced from vineyards that "have their roots in Romanée-Conti" has won numerous awards both in Japan and abroad.
It is said that the success of Atarangi is what made the Martinborough region known around the world. It produces elegant, high-quality wines that are close to those of Burgundy.
▶︎Purchase here
7th Villa Maria
Image source: https://villamariawines.com/
Villa Maria is one of New Zealand's largest wineries.
The winery was founded in Auckland in 1961 by George Fistonich as a family-run business and has since expanded rapidly.
Currently, their wines are exported to over 60 countries around the world, and they have won the most awards at wine competitions in the world among all New Zealand wineries. In recent years, they have been focusing on producing organic wines.
▶︎Purchase here
10. Trinity Hill
Image source: Village Cellars official website
Trinity Hill is a winery in Hawke's Bay on New Zealand's North Island.
They are pioneers in the region, having been the first to discover the potential of the "Gimlet Gravels" land, which is a former riverbed with gravelly soil. They specialize in Bordeaux blends and Syrah.
Trinity Thill's standard class is "Hawke's Bay", the so-called wide-area series. The premium range is the "Gimlet Gravels" series, which is a narrower area. The top is a cuvee called "Homage", but this is not imported to Japan. I'm curious to know what it tastes like...
▶︎Purchase here
Recommended wineries ranked 11th to 20th in The Real Review 2023
From here, we will introduce recommended wineries where you can purchase wine in Japan from the top 20 rankings for 2024.
14. Pegasus Bay, North Canterbury/Waipara
A winery representing Waipara. It is famous for its slightly dark Pinot Noir, which makes the most of the local climate. What makes it unique from other South Island wineries is that it also produces high-quality Bordeaux varieties in addition to Pinot.
▶︎Purchase here
15. Man O' War Vineyards (Waiheke Island)
Man O' War Vineyards is the largest winery on Waiheke Island, known as the Wine Island, and owns about 20% of the land. Its rich Bordeaux blend reds and barrel-aged Chardonnays are highly regarded. In Waiheke, where there are only high-end wines, this winery also offers wines in a relatively affordable price range.
▶︎Purchase here
18. Blank Canvas (Marlboro)
This husband-and-wife winery stands out among the many large producers in Marlborough. Mrs. Sophie Thomson is the first talented woman to become a Master of Wine in Marlborough. They have a portfolio that is not found in other wineries, including Grüner Veltliner.
▶︎Purchase here
summary
Wine is a drink that cannot be objectively judged as good or bad. However, when drinking a wine for the first time, it is natural to be curious about how experts evaluate it.
The Real Review, led by Bob Campbell MW, is known as a well-known and influential team among New Zealand wine tasters, and many people in the industry check the winery rankings that are published every year.
Of course, just because a winery has a high ranking doesn't mean that its wines will suit your taste, but this ranking will give you an idea of how professionals who are knowledgeable about New Zealand wines evaluate them.
