Media and Press

Ngakirikiri 2021 wins prestigious global wine award

Published 25 June 2026

Villa Maria’s flagship Cabernet Sauvignon, Ngakirikiri 2021, has been named one of the world’s best wines at the Decanter World Wine Awards.

Best in Show for Villa Maria’s flagship Cabernet Sauvignon

Ngakirikiri 2021 received 97 points and a coveted ‘Best in Show’ title, meaning it was one of the Top 50 wines selected from almost 17,000 entries.

 

The Decanter World Wine Awards is the world’s largest wine competition, judged blind by international experts across entries from 58 countries.

 

 

 

 

Hawke’s Bay heritage

Winemaking excellence

Villa Maria Senior Winemaker Richard Painter says the recognition was a major achievement for the team.

 

“To be named among the top 50 wines globally is incredibly rewarding,” says Painter. “It reflects the dedication of our vineyard and winery teams and reinforces that Hawke’s Bay produces wines that are truly world-class.”

 

 

From the renowned Gimblett Gravels

The name ‘Ngakirikiri’ comes from te reo Maori, describing the unique soils in the Gimblett Gravels that shape the wine’s character.

 

Painter says: “The 2021 Ngakirikiri is both concentrated and refined, with pure fruit flavour and fresh acidity balanced with the richness and structure that can only come from this region.”

 

 

 

 

The 2021 Ngakirikiri is both concentrated and refined