Over half the country's gold medals were awarded to pinot noirs, and Valli Gibbston Central Otago Pinot Noir 2010 beat all other pinot noirs entered from around the world to win the competition's coveted Bouchard Finlayson Pinot Noir Trophy.
Grant Taylor, who established Valli, said the win was a highlight of his career.
"For me personally, this award is the highlight of 33 years of wine-making, as this wine is under my own label from our estate vineyard in Gibbston.
"The exciting thing is, the vines are only 12 years old and the wines are only getting better and have a lot more to give yet."
Medal winners
Central Otago gold medal winners were: Valli Gibbston Valley Central Otago Pinot Noir 2010 (trophy and outstanding), Two Paddocks Central Otago Pinot Noir 2010 (outstanding), Two Sisters Vineyard Central Otago Riesling 2008 (outstanding), Gibbston Valley Central Otago Pinot Noir 2010, Elephant Hill Central Otago Pinot Noir 2011, Judge Rock Central Otago Pinot Noir 2010.
• Full results, www.iwsc.net
