These awards celebrated the exceptional quality and innovation present within the region, further solidifying Hawke's Bay's reputation as a leading destination in global wine tourism and as a Great Wine Capital of the world.

Judge Anna King Shahab, a renowned food, wine, and travel writer, praised the impressive calibre of entries for their high quality, noting that there were "multiple strong contenders" in each category.  She was joined by fellow judges Jesse Mulligan, a radio broadcaster, TV presenter, and restaurant critic, and Anna Nielson, General Manager of Destination Wairarapa and Classic New Zealand Wine Trail partner.

Judges' comments

Reflecting on the judging process, Anna King Shahab noted, "There are some exceptional wine tourism operators in Hawke’s Bay, providing remarkable visitor experiences, which made our job very challenging. The standards were particularly high in the dining and accommodation categories, where what is offered truly speaks to the region and the unique locality, setting high standards for others to follow. The warm welcome extended by those involved in wine tourism operations in Hawke's Bay is something that we, as judges, and undoubtedly guests, will remember. The laid-back yet attentive hospitality is an Antipodean special, done with aplomb by so many in the region.”