A red wine hailing from New Zealand’s Hawke’s Bay region has earned the title of world’s best merlot at the 2025 International Wine Challenge (IWC).
The accolade was awarded to Church Road’s 2021 Church Road 1 Merlot, which clinched the prestigious International Merlot Trophy.
Judges lauded the wine for its “youthful, deep dark red colour,” noting its compelling complexity and refined balance—a standout among a highly competitive global field.
This result underscores the growing international recognition of New Zealand’s winemaking capabilities, particularly in varietals traditionally dominated by European regions such as Bordeaux.
The victory reinforces Church Road’s consistent excellence, following its success at the 2024 IWC, where the winery claimed multiple trophies, including both International Chardonnay and International Merlot Trophies.
Church Road’s triumph also highlights Hawke’s Bay’s rising stature as a world-class wine region, supported by previous accolades such as Kennedy Point Vineyard’s 2021 Syrah, which captured the International Syrah Trophy.
As New Zealand wineries continue to excel at globally respected competitions, Hawke’s Bay’s merlot stands as a clear testament to the region’s evolving prominence on the world wine stage.
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