Esk Valley is best known for the production of high quality red wines. A member of the Villa Maria group of companies, Esk Valley frequently ranks amongst the best of New Zealand wines in local and overseas wine competitions. Recent awards include a Trophy for its Reserve Merlot Malbec Cabernet Sauvignon 2002 at the Liquorland Top 100 2004, gold for its Black Label Merlot 2002 at the Royal Easter Show 2004, golds for its Reserve Chardonnay 2003 and its Reserve Melot Malbec Cabernet Sauvignon 2002 at the Air New Zealand Wine Awards 2004, and silvers for its Reserve Chardonnay 2002 and its Black Label Riesling 2003 at the London International Wine Challenge 2004. Top of Esk Valley's range is The Terraces, a Merlot/Malbec and Cabernet Franc blend. This is followed by its reserve labeled wines, and then its black labeled wines.