Jo Cribb toasts the New Zealand Winegrowers’ 2025 Fellow award winners

Saturday, 15 November 2025

These three Fellows are examples of the skill, passion and commitment to craft that results in New Zealand producing world class wine.

‘Jolly good fellows’ conjures up images of portly gentlemen smoking cigars at their club. Though when New Zealand Winegrowers recently announced its 2025 Fellows awards – recognising individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to the industry – nothing could have been further from the truth. For a start, two of the three winemakers acknowledged this year were women.

Like Hawke’s Bay winemaker Jenny Dobson. Dobson learnt her craft in Burgundy before returning home to make fine wines dedicated to her family. Her fiano is named Florence after her vivacious and bold paternal grandmother. Patsy, Dobson’s joyously mischievous favourite aunt, graces the label of a vibrant, fun rosé.

Judy Finn’s Fellow award recognised her role in raising the profile and reputation of New Zealand wine. She, with husband Tim, planted the first vines at their acclaimed Neudorf winery in Nelson in 1978. Since then, as well as being active in numerous committees, she has had a hand in producing some of the most delicious chardonnay, albariño and riesling about.

Clive Jones served as chairman of New Zealand Winegrowers through the pandemic years and is the long-serving general manager of Marlborough’s Nautilus Estate. There he oversees the creation of some pretty fine sparkling and still wines IMHO, and is another worthy recipient of the Fellow award.

These three Fellows are examples of the skill, passion and commitment to craft that results in New Zealand producing world class wine. I think that’s worthy of raising a toast to and here’s some ideas on what to charge your glasses with.

Neudorf, Rosie’s Block Moutere Dry Riesling 2023, $33

A crisp dry wine oozing with flavour: floral pineapple, orange blossom, white peach, lime and green apple with a sprinkling of white pepper. It is begging to be sipped with sashimi or sushi.

Wine by Jenny Dobson, Doris 2022, $42

For Dobson’s beloved grandmother Doris, a merlot field blend bursting with vibrant red fruit.

Nautilus, Marlborough Chardonnay 2023, $36

Luxuriate in the ripe nectarine, toasted almond and honeysuckle flavours and dreamy, creamy texture in your mouth. It’s most definitely worth roasting a chicken for, though I don’t need any excuse to crack open a bottle.