Giesen and Ara have achieved remarkable success at the Melbourne International Wine Competition 2025, earning New Zealand Merlot Winery of the Year and New Zealand Pinot Noir Winery of the Year. With Double Golds, Golds, and Silvers across both portfolios, these awards highlight our commitment to quality, craft, and innovation.
We are proud to celebrate another outstanding year of recognition at the 12th Annual Melbourne International Wine Competition MIWC with over 1,000 entries submitted from more than seven countries, the competition was judged exclusively by top trade buyers — sommeliers, beverage directors, importers, and distributors — ensuring that every award reflects what consumers truly enjoy.
This year, Giesen Group has been honoured with not one, but two major winery titles:
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New Zealand Merlot Winery of the Year
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New Zealand Pinot Noir Winery of the Year
These accolades highlight our team’s commitment to crafting wines of excellence across varietals and styles.
Award-Winning Wines Across the Portfolio
In addition to these winery honours, wines from both Giesen and Ara impressed the judges across multiple categories, earning top scores and medals:
Double Gold & 95+ Point Winners
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Ara Single Estate Pinot Noir 2023 – 96 points
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Giesen Single Vineyard Clayvin Chardonnay 2019 – 96 points
Gold Medal Winners
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Ara Single Estate Chardonnay 2023 – 95 points
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Ara Single Estate Rosé 2024 – 94 points
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Giesen Estate Pinot Gris 2024 – 95 points
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Giesen Pure Light Merlot 2024 – 95 points
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Giesen Single Vineyard Clayvin Syrah 2023 – 95 points
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Giesen Uncharted Sauvignon Blanc 2024 – 95 points
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Giesen Single Vineyard Clayvin Pinot Noir 2021 – 94 points
Silver & Commended Medals
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Ara Single Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2024 – 93 points
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Ara Single Estate Pinot Gris 2025 – 92 points
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Giesen Estate Riesling 2024 – 93 points
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Giesen Pure Light Sauvignon Blanc 2024 – 93 points
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Giesen Uncharted Chardonnay 2023 – 93 points
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Giesen Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2024 – 90 points
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Giesen Estate Chardonnay 2024 – 91 points
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Giesen Pure Light Pinot Gris 2024 – 91 points
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Giesen Uncharted Pinot Noir 2023 – 91 points
“These awards are a reflection of the dedication across our winemaking and viticulture teams,” says Jeremy Todd, Giesen Group Chief Winemaker. “We are proud to see our efforts recognised across both classic and innovative styles from our Estate wines through to Pure Light and Single Vineyard Clayvin selections.”
The recognition from MIWC demonstrates Giesen Group’s strength across the spectrum: from premium single vineyard expressions to accessible everyday favourites, as well as our innovative Pure Light range, designed for mindful drinking without compromising taste.
Find These WinesMany of these award-winning wines are available across Australia and New Zealand through leading retailers, with international distribution continuing to grow.
