One of the smallest vineyards in Martinborough has produced a Pinot Noir that scaled new heights in London last month, winning four trophies, a gold medal and 96/100 points at the 2026 International Wine Challenge (IWSC).
That wine is the 2024 Nga Waka Lease Block Pinot Noir, which won International Pinot Noir Trophy, Martinborough Pinot Noir Trophy, New Zealand Pinot Noir Trophy, New Zealand Red Trophy and its top score.
The wine is made from a 0.8 hectare vineyard site on Puruatanga Road, which was planted in the late 1990s by members of Nga Waka winery founder, Roger Parkinson’s family.
From the start, Lease Block Pinot Noir has stood head and shoulders above many other wines made in Martinborough for its concentrated depth of flavour and its hallmark Martinborough Pinot flavours – fruit-led but with underlying earthy aromas.
Winemaker Paul Mason describes 2024 as a winemaker’s dream vintage.
“We had a perfect combination of cool spring weather which kept yields down and elevated quality, followed by classic warm, dry summer conditions that lasted through to the end of harvest. This gave us Pinots of impressive structure, weight and richness. The cooler nights that came into play in late February ensured that power is balanced by freshness and vibrancy. The wines are delightfully poised and the 2024 Lease Block is perhaps the finest expression of those characteristics, and of our unique terroir.”
