"Judging the International Chardonnay Challenge in Gisborne, New Zealand, was a real treat! When you take several hundred diverse examples of the pre-eminent white grape in the world and you mix in local colour, national pride and international expertise, you have a recipe for certain success." Bill Hardy, Oenologist and Brand Ambassador Hardys Wines, Australia.
"Chardonnay is a truly an international variety and one that speaks loudly of it origins, I see no better way to bench mark it than in an international show with international Judges. The ICC with its top class organisation and high quality entries delivers for me a real show case event for the most important grape variety in the world , Chardonnay" Steve Voysey, Gisborne Regional Winemaker Pernod Ricard NZ.
THE JUDGES
The show engages ten guest judges including the chairperson who form three panels. There is the opportunity for industry to take part in the event as associate judges also.
JANE SKILTON Chairperson MW - (New Zealand)
MW Jane is something special in the world of wine. She is the only female Master of Wine based in New Zealand – of the 264 Masters of Wine worldwide, just 61 are women. Jane spends her busy and varied days juggling motherhood and wine – teaching, writing and judging.
Her career in the wine industry began more than two decades ago in the United Kingdom and Jane moved to New Zealand in 2000. She writes for many food, wine and entertaining magazines here and offshore, and has established her own online wine magazine, the Independent Wine Monthly.
She is a senior judge at many of the nation's top wine shows and has been invited as a guest international judge to competitions in Australia and Asia. Through her wine school, the NZ School of Wines and Spirits, she teaches the internationally recognized WSET wine qualifications to trade and consumers.
PAUL ATWOOD - Australia
Senior Winemaker, Paul Atwood, has been an integral part of the winemaking team at Leewin Estate, Margaret River, Perth, Western Australia since 1997. Paul joined Leeuwin's long established winemaking team whilst completing his Science degree.
He was appointed Assistant Winemaker in 2000,moving to the position of White Winemaker in 2001. He was promoted to the position of Winemaker at the end of 2002, working alongside Leeuwin's Senior Winemaker, Bob Cartwright. Following Bob Cartwright's retirement from Leeuwin in October 2005, Paul was promoted to the role of Senior Winemaker at Leeuwin Estate.At Leeuwin the winemaking and viticulture team work hand in hand and Paul works closely with Viticulturist, David Winstanley to follow the tradition of winemaking excellence for which Leeuwin has become renowned.
MIKE DEGARIS - Australia
Consultant Mike DeGaris graduated from Roseworthy Ag College in 1980 with a Bachelor of Applied Science (Oenology). He began his working career as assistant winemaker at Tyrrell's in the Hunter Valley, eventually moving to senior winemaker. In 1989 he joined Cellarmaster Wines in the Barossa Valley as their chief winemaker/SA manager. DeGaris moved to New Zealand in 1997 as general manager/chief winemaker of Cardmember Wines, where he remained until transferring back to the Hunter in 2005. While in New Zealand, Mike was a regular wine panellist for Cuisine, before moving to NZ Home & Entertaining. He is now deputy chairman of the Royal Easter Wine Show Awards in Auckland and has been a regular senior judge at that event and the Air New Zealand Wine Awards. He has twice been chairman of judges at the Liquorland Top 100. Across the ditch he chaired the International Cool Climate Show in Mornington Peninsula this year and has also judged at the Hunter Valley Wine Show. DeGaris was general manager/winemaker at The Rothbury Estate, Hunter Valley, and is now a freelance wine consultant.
ANDREW FLEMING - Australia
Andrew Fleming finished his degree at Melbourne University and worked for two years as an assistant winemaker with Mildara Wines before heading to France, where he completed a Diplome Nationale d'Oenolgue in Bordeaux in 1987.
Andrew has since worked in winemaking roles at both Lindeman's Karadoc and Seppelt Great Western, before moving to Coldstream Hills in 2001 as Senior Winemaker. As Andrew notes, the task of winemaking has been made somewhat easier by the access to a wide range of premium vineyards in the region. His goal is to make wines that not only reflect the potential of the Yarra Valley, but demonstrate regional expression, finesse and length.
LARRY MCKENNA - New Zealand
Chairman of Judges for the International Chardonnay Challenge in 2004 and 2005, Larry McKenna has judged at the ANZWA for 20 years and the Easter Wine Show and Liquorland Top 100. Overseas shows include Tasmania, WA and Canberra. Born and educated in Adelaide, South Australia Larry graduated from Roseworthy Agricultural College with a Diploma in Agriculture in 1976.
After three years as Assistant at Delegat's Wine Estate in Auckland, Larry became winemaker in 1983. In 1986 he left Auckland to take up the position of CEO/Winemaker at Martinborough Vineyard. From 1986 to 1999 Larry grew this company from 20 to 160 tonnes and firmly put Martinborough on the world map as one of New Zealand's pre-eminent Pinot Noir producers. Since then he has joined forces with Robert & Mem Kirby to create The Escarpment Vineyard, a specialty Pinot Noir and Chardonnay producer located in Te Muna Rd Martinborough.
JO BURZYNSKA - New Zealand
Wine journalist, author and judge, Jo Burzynska writes one of New Zealand's most widely read weekly wine columns as Wine Editor of the New Zealand Herald's Viva section, also contributing regularly to a number of other publications in New Zealand and abroad.
Jo's journey in wine started in the UK, where she gained her wine qualifications and ran a wine shop in central London for some years. She then moved into wine writing, becoming Associate Editor of Supplements at the UK's leading wine trade journal, Harpers Wine & Spirit and then Editor of Drinks Buyer Europe magazine, which saw her short listed for Wine Writer of the Year by both the prestigious Glenfiddich and Prix du Champagne Lanson Awards before the age of 30.
After falling for the country and its wines, she relocated to New Zealand in 2004, where as well as her writing she has continued to judge at international and local wine competitions and runs her Adventures in Wine School. Her book, Wine Class: All you need to know about wine in New Zealand was recently published by Random House.
JANE BOYLE – New Zealand
Jane Boyle has been involved in the New Zealand and Australian wine industries for 25 years. In her role as Product Strategy Manager for New Zealand Wine Cellars she tastes many thousands of wines each year.
She has previously judged at the International Chardonnay Challenge, Air New Zealand Wine Awards, Royal Easter Show Wine Awards, Royal NZ Show International Aromatic Wine Competition, Liquorland Top 100 and New World Wine Awards. Jane also appears regularly on the Cuisine magazine judging panel.
KATE RADBURND – New Zealand
Kate Radburnd, an oenology graduate from Roseworthy Agricultural College, has been winemaking in New Zealand for over 25 years. Kate is Winemaker, Managing Director and co-owner of C J Pask Winery. She is a Director of New Zealand Winegrowers, and Deputy Chair of Council of the Eastern Institute of Technology in Hawkes Bay.
Kate is Chair of Judges of the Royal Easter Wineshow and a wine consultant for Air New Zealand.
STEVE VOYSEY - New Zealand
Winemaker Steve Voysey measures life in vintages. “You only get so many vintages in your life so make the most of each one,” says the Gisborne regional winemaker for Montana Wines. “Aim high and every year is going to be better than the last …. and if not, at least learn something from it,” he says. Chardonnay has a special place in Steve's heart. He started winemaking with Montana in Marlborough in 1987, moving to the Gisborne winery in 1990 and becoming regional winemaker in 2001. That time in the region has allowed him to build up extensive experience with Chardonnay. “Chardonnay is a key focus for us, in both still and sparkling wine, making up more than 60% of our intake,” says Steve. And while it is a variety that presents plenty of challenge, Steve describes being part of the evolution of styles and brands he works with, as a real delight. “A breakthrough moment in winemaking for me was when we understood enough about the district to allow the 15 odd Chardonnay wines we make to be differentiated naturally through appellation rather than process differences. “I still see New Zealand as a young industry which has a lot to learn and master. The goal is to continually make more complete wine, but not lose varietal expression or regional structure,” he says. “Our winemaking now focuses on supporting natural differences, and Chardonnay is one of the rare varieties that does tell the story of where they it's grown.” He's also an avid follower of new varieties, championing Viognier and Arneis. “You know you are on a winner when you can grow and ripen varieties that are as notoriously tricky as these two.” So passionate is he about his wine, the growing grapes is not just what he does for a living, but also in his spare time with wife Eileen and their four children. They have a 40-acre vineyard that also sports the biggest dog you are likely to meet. Having that hands on experience in his own vineyard has been a huge advantage to his winemaking. “We live every vintage and this gives me an understanding that is not possible by simply viewing the grapes on the vine,” he says. “You gain a respect for every grape that comes across the weighbridge, you know how much has been put into getting the grapes to that point, and it has a significant bearing on your attempt to capture as much of each vineyard's unique quality as possible, sealing it in for all to experience”. He's done just that many times in the past, including with a 1998 Montana Reserve Gisborne Chardonnay which was rated best white wine at the 1999 International Wine Challenge in London.
MW Jane is something special in the world of wine. She is the only female Master of Wine based in New Zealand – of the 264 Masters of Wine worldwide, just 61 are women. Jane spends her busy and varied days juggling motherhood and wine – teaching, writing and judging.
Senior Winemaker, Paul Atwood, has been an integral part of the winemaking team at Leewin Estate, Margaret River, Perth, Western Australia since 1997. Paul joined Leeuwin's long established winemaking team whilst completing his Science degree.
Consultant
Andrew Fleming finished his degree at Melbourne University and worked for two years as an assistant winemaker with Mildara Wines before heading to France, where he completed a Diplome Nationale d'Oenolgue in Bordeaux in 1987. 
Chairman of Judges for the International Chardonnay Challenge in 2004 and 2005, Larry McKenna has judged at the ANZWA for 20 years and the Easter Wine Show and Liquorland Top 100. Overseas shows include Tasmania, WA and Canberra. Born and educated in Adelaide, South Australia Larry graduated from Roseworthy Agricultural College with a Diploma in Agriculture in 1976.
Wine journalist, author and judge, Jo Burzynska writes one of New Zealand's most widely read weekly wine columns as Wine Editor of the New Zealand Herald's Viva section, also contributing regularly to a number of other publications in New Zealand and abroad.
Jane Boyle has been involved in the New Zealand and Australian wine industries for 25 years. In her role as Product Strategy Manager for New Zealand Wine Cellars she tastes many thousands of wines each year.
Kate Radburnd, an oenology graduate from Roseworthy Agricultural College, has been winemaking in New Zealand for over 25 years. Kate is Winemaker, Managing Director and co-owner of C J Pask Winery. She is a Director of New Zealand Winegrowers, and Deputy Chair of Council of the Eastern Institute of Technology in Hawkes Bay.
Winemaker