Todd Stevens of Neudorf Vineyards selected as finalist for New Zealand Winemaker of the year

Huge congratulations to Winemaker and General Manager of Neudorf Vineyards, Todd Stevens who was named as a finalist for Gourmet Traveller WINE New Zealand Winemaker of The Year 2022.

Now in its fifth year, the NZ Winemaker of the Year Awards continue to shine a light on New Zealand’s most exciting and outstanding producers. All six finalists for 2022 have been selected by an expert judging panel, comprised of NZ editor Jane Skilton MW, educator Stephen Wong MW and wine journalist Dr Jo Burzynska.

Stevens likes to ask what the fruit gives them and believes there is no recipe for making great wine. Although chardonnay is clearly Neudorf’s strongest variety, his changes have had a bigger impact on the pinot noir. The Moutere soil and climate produces “naturally built wines”, he says, reducing the need for hard extractions in the winery. Numerous whole bunch and extraction trials have led him towards fewer punchdowns, less time on skins and less new oak. The resulting wines are more fragrant, elegantly balanced and poised.

Text by Stephen Wong MW

Click here to discover more about the awards and read the stories behind each of the impressive finalists.