2011 N. R. Ibbotson

A portrait of N. R. Ibbotson (1964-66 DipAgr, DipVFM), the Bledsloe Medallist, 2011. The growth of the New Zealand wine industry is a modern commercial success story and many individual champions have contributed to it. Among them is Lincoln University alumnus Neal Ralph Ibbotson of Saint Clair Family Estate, Marlborough. This wine estate, founded and headed by Neal and wife Judy, is one of New Zealand’s most ‘awarded’ wineries and in 2010 was ranked in the top third of the world’s best 100 wineries. It consistently produces medal winning wines from carefully selected and monitored Marlborough vineyard sites. Neal played a pivotal role in increasing the viability of Marlborough’s economy and range of land-based enterprises and the success of his endeavours has helped put Marlborough on the map and significantly enhanced economic well being within the region.