New Zealand’s top cider and fruit wine producers have been recognised at the 36th Annual New Zealand Fruit Wine & Cider Awards, held in Nelson on Friday night by the Fruit Wine and Cider Makers Association (FWCMA).
This year’s competition drew 117 entries from across New Zealand, with judges noting a marked lift in technical excellence, diversity, and the confidence of producers to push creative boundaries.
It also marked the debut of the NZ Origin Cider category, introduced to celebrate apple varieties unique to Aotearoa and the innovative styles emerging from them.
Show Champions
Champion Cider was awarded to Peckham’s Cidery & Orchard for Bitter Harry, described by judges as “a commanding traditional cider with firm tannins and layered notes of leather, spice and caramel. A standout of classic craft.”
Champion Fruit Wine went to Mirabelle Fruit Wine for Crimson Spice Sweet Plum Mead, with judges noting its “rich aromatics and beautifully balanced integration of plum, honey and spice.”
Elemental Cider named Champion Producer
Kapiti-Horowhenua’s Elemental Cider claimed the top honour of Champion Producer, impressing judges with a range that balanced tradition, structure and fresh thinking. Their entries earned two Best in Class trophies, two Golds, five Silvers and one Bronze.
Judges praised the brand’s delicate florals, dry blends and skillful use of indigenous botanicals as “a benchmark for modern cider craftsmanship.
Judges applaud range and direction
Judging panels highlighted strong performances across both traditional, tannin-forward ciders and modern, fruit-driven, low-ABV and botanical styles.
The Fruit Wine categories showcased impressive diversity, spanning plums, berries, feijoa, citrus and stone fruit, with producers exploring sparkling, sessionable and premium formats.
A panel of six senior judges and two associate judges, led by chair Merophy Hyslop, awarded 17 trophies, 21 Gold, 32 Silver, and 42 Bronze medals.
Hyslop said the Awards reflect “a maturing industry grounded in provenance and driven by innovation – from truly impressive bottle-fermented releases to zero-alcohol ciders with full sensory weight.”
Champion Award Winners
- Champion Producer: Elemental Cider
- Champion Cider: Peckham’s Cidery & Orchard – Bitter Harry
- Champion Fruit Wine: Mirabelle Fruit Wine – Crimson Spice Sweet Plum Mead
Trophy Winners – 2025 NZ Cider Awards
- Modern Cider: Zeffer – Crisp Apple
- Traditional Cider (Alex Peckham Memorial Trophy): Peckham’s Orchard & Cidery – Bitter Harry
- Cider with Non-Berry Fruit: Mata – Golden Kiwi
- Cider with Berry Fruit: Old Mill – Farmhouse Blackberry
- Cider with Hops, Spices & Botanicals: Elemental Cider – Pohutukawa Flower
- Specialty Cider: Scoundrels & Rogues – Cold Shoulder Ice Cider
- Bottle-Fermented Cider: Elemental Cider – Dry As
- Low/Zero Alcohol Cider: Zeffer – 0% Passionfruit
- NZ Origin Cider: The Cider Factorie – Aporo’ Secco
Trophy Winners – 2025 NZ Fruit Wine Awards
- Alcoholic Soft Drinks: Ranga – Alcoholic Lemonade with Lime & Bitters
- Table Fruit Wine: Lothlorien Winery – Dry Sparkling Apple & Feijoa Fruit Wine
- Fortified Fruit Wine/Liqueur: Ruahine Ports – Grumpy Goose
- Mead: Mirabelle Fruit Wine – Crimson Spice Sweet Plum Mead
- Low/Zero Alcohol Fruit Wine: Kombucha Bros – Pitahaya [Dragonfruit] & Pineapple
For more information and a full list of results, head to www.cider.org.nz.
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