New Zealand wine makers have struck gold at the 2011 International Wine Challenge in London.

This year’s International Wine Challenge attracted almost 11,000 entries from around the globe and is considered one of the most influential wine competitions in the world.

New Zealand wineries scooped 31 gold medals across a range of categories, along with 123 silver and 197 bronze awards.

Waiheke Island’s Man O’ War Vineyard has picked up four medals, including two gold’s for its Syrah and Chardonnay wines.

The Man O’ War vineyard is situated on four and a half thousand acres at the eastern end of Waiheke Island and has been in the Spencer family for almost 30 years.

Vineyard manager Matt Allen says the good news came through in the middle of the night

“It was pretty exciting to wake up the next morning and find out the wines had done so well, especially after it was the first major competition that those new releases have been in so I suppose it’s pretty awesome, it’s always nice to get that sort of recognition”.

He says the success reflects all the hard yards the winery puts into each of their wines.

“I don’t want to be too cliché about the whole thing it was just a lot of hard work over the years and right from senior management all the way to the guys at grass roots the teams a pretty tight group, and we get some fantastic direction from the owners and the guys up the top and then we’ve just got to implement it.

“It all comes down to a bit of hard work and taking a punt every now and again and just backing yourself that you’re doing the right thing. Obviously in this case we were”.

The official awards ceremony will be held in London in September.