While in Hong Kong two weeks ago she heard she had been selected as one of six finalists in the prestigious Gourmet Traveller Wine magazine's New Zealand Winemaker of the Year award, the only one from Central Otago.
She said the finalists were chosen by top wine writer Bob Campbell MW and his team.
''It is very humbling as the other winemakers who are finalists are all people I consider my heroes and who have made a truly significant contribution to the wine community,'' Ms Parr said.
''I had no idea I was being considered.''
The winner of the award will be announced at a dinner in Auckland next month.
Originally from Oregon, Ms Parr was also named the 2018 Winemaker of the Year in October.
The competition was part of the Canterbury Wine Competition, which is run in association with the 2018 New Zealand Aromatic Wine Competition under the auspices of the Canterbury A&P Show.
''I had to send in three wines of three different varietals and write an essay, to show the depth and breadth of my winemaking,'' Ms Parr said.
''I was thrilled,'' she said.
She entered the Valli Gibbston Pinot Noir 2016, the Valli ''The Real McCoy'' Orange Wine Pinot Gris 2017 and Valli Waitaki Riesling 2018.
Ms Parr said she had taken a slight risk by including the orange wine as it was not widely judged, but the contest was to showcase her skills, and the orange wine ''pushed boundaries''.
The accolades are important as they recognise the whole Valli team for their skills and expertise, all of which contribute to making quality wines.
''Being nominated is also a tribute to Valli owner Grant Taylor,'' she said.
''He is instrumental at selling and marketing and allows me to do my job better and give us what we need to do our jobs well.
''It is pat on the back for the team.''
Ms Parr also took part in the Women in Wine mentoring pilot programme this year and has spent much of the year mentoring Katrina Jackson, an assistant winemaker for Chard Farm.
''It is hugely satisfying, but the important thing is it is a two-way street.''
Both she and Katrina shared their experiences and gained benefits.
She said, in her personal opinion, while the pilot programme was for women only, and the second one next year would be more robust, she would like to see it sponsored so it could be opened to both genders within the wine community.
She was not sure she would take part in the second programme.
''I will probably let someone else have the chance,'' she said.
