There aren't many winemakers with 45 vintages under their belt

The 1994 Winemaker of the Year award came a little over halfway through Joe Babich’s winemaking career.

It added another achievement to a list that includes 45 vintages as a winemaker; 35 years as a judge; receiving the Sir George Fistonich medal and becoming an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit. And although he’s humble about his achievements, the New Zealand wine industry is richer for Joe’s lifetime of effort and encouragement.