Neal and Judy Ibbotson have been viticulture pioneers in the Marlborough region since planting their first vineyard in Marlborough in 1978. A desire to extend the quality achieved in the vineyard through to the finished wine led to the Ibbotson’s establishing Saint Clair Family Estate in 1994.
Both Judy and Neal have now been recognised for their pioneering efforts, passion and innovation to create world-class wines being awarded the Wine Marlborough Lifetime Achievement award at the Marlborough Wine Show long lunch. The award also pays tribute to Judy and Neal’s commitment to the greater Marlborough wine industry.
It has always been a mission of the Saint Clair Family Estate to create wine that exceeds customers’ every expectation, and has developed a strong reputation as a leading international wine producer consistently achieving highly acclaimed awards to further cement this reputation.
Judy and Neal are both very humbled and honoured to be singled out to receive such an award, it has been a very rewarding journey and they are extremely proud of what the Saint Clair Family Estate have been able to achieve.
The Marlborough Wine Show is run by Wine Marlborough to promote the diversity of wines grown in New Zealand’s largest wine region.
The Saint Clair Family Estate were also recognised for their world-class wines winning seven gold awards, and multiple silver and bronze awards at the 2020 Marlborough Wine Show.
