Senator Don Farrell awarded the Prime Minister’s Trophy for Champion Wine of Show to winemaker Renae Hirsch of McLaren Vale winery Willunga 100. Photo: Supplied, National Wine Show.
Winemakers, vignerons, aficionados and supporters gathered at the Great Hall of Parliament House to award the best of the best wines in the country.
The big winner of the night was Willunga 100’s 2023 McLaren Vale Grenache, which was awarded both the James Halliday Trophy for Red Wine of Show and also the Prime Minister’s Trophy for Champion Wine of Show. Prime Minister Albanese was unable to present the award to winemaker Renae Hirsch in person, but supplied a video message of support and sent wine aficionado Senator Don Farrell in his place.
The senator spoke enthusiastically about his role in reinstating wine exports to China – apparently, Chinese trade delegates often receive a bottle from his own winery – and also predicted the UAE would be the next major export location for Australian wines.
Willunga 100’s win was significant as it is the first time a Grenache has won this prestigious award.
“Grenache is riding the zeitgeist. It’s the hottest thing outside pinot noir, which took us by storm 10 to 15 years ago when Tasmania burst onto the scene. The same attention to detail is now being put into grenache by smart winemakers in the warmer parts of South Australia,” chair of judges Matt Harrop said.
“Grenache was always seen as just a workhorse – overcropped, turned into rosé, used in blends – but there’s an amazing resource of old grenache vines, mainly in the Barossa and McLaren Vale, and people are now looking after them, farming them properly, and recognising that they can really make something stunning. Willunga 100 and others like it are letting the fruit do the talking and creating incredibly beautiful wines.”
Guests at the trophy dinner had the opportunity to taste several of the winners and finalists during the four-course meal. Photo: Lucy Ridge.
To be eligible for judging at the national show, each wine had to be awarded a gold or silver medal at a qualifying show. The judging panel – comprising experts from across the industry – had a difficult task ahead of them to whittle down the list, which included vintages from 2012 to 2024.
The National Wine Show Trophy Dinner on Thursday (12 June) marked the beginning of The National Wine Festival, a three-day event which will feature workshops, tastings and masterclasses.
The festival celebrates 50 years of the National Wine Show, a period which has seen the birth of Australia’s modern wine industry, as Mr Harrop told the crowd.
Many wineries, which today are big names in the industry, were starting out 50 years ago – although he noted that the old growth vines at Tyrrells in the Hunter Valley were already close to 100 years old – and he paid tribute to the innovation and community of these Australian winemaking legends.
“The winemaking pioneers of that generation shared knowledge, shared equipment and they helped each other out,” he said.
He lauded not just those who built the industry but those who qualified for the show.
“To the exhibitors: you people are extraordinary. Your spirit is as strong as those pioneers 50 years ago.”
Matt Harrop was the chair of judges for the second year running at the National Wine Show. Photo: National Wine Show.
The winner of the Len Evans Memorial Trophy for White Wine of Show went to Deep Woods Estate’s 2023 Reserve Chardonnay.
Canberra region winery Collector Wines was also a finalist with their Tiger Tiger Chardonnay, and was the only Canberra winery finalist in the show this year.
Here is the full list of trophy winners.
Prime Minister’s Trophy for Champion Wine of Show
Willunga 100 2023 McLaren Vale Grenache (SA)
James Halliday Trophy for Red Wine of Show
Willunga 100 2023 McLaren Vale Grenache (SA)
Len Evans Memorial Trophy for White Wine of Show
Deep Woods Estate 2023 Reserve Chardonnay (WA)
Fortified
Morris Wines NV Cellar Reserve Grand Muscat (VIC)
Alternate Red Blends
Chalk Hill 2023 Tempranillo Grenache (SA)
Cabernet Blends
Evans & Tate 2022 Redbrook Estate Cabernet Merlot (WA)
Shiraz Blends
Hamelin Bay Wines 2023 Rampant Red (WA)
Grenache Blends
Cat Amongst the Pigeons 2023 Barossa Grenache Shiraz Mataro (SA)
Red Varietal
The Pawn 2023 Malbec (SA)
Cabernet
Deep Woods Estate 2022 Single Vineyard G2 Cabernet Sauvignon (WA)
Shiraz
Yabby Lake 2023 Heathcote Estate Single Vineyard Shiraz (VIC)
Grenache
Willunga 100 2023 McLaren Vale Grenache (SA)
Pinot
Lowestoft 2023 La Maison Pinot Noir (TAS)
Rose
La Prova 2024 Aglianico Rosato (SA)
Blended White
Xanadu 2024 Circa 77 Sauvignon Blanc Semillon (WA)
White Varietal
tripe.Iscariot 2023 Wilyabrup Chenin Blanc (WA)
Chardonnay
Deep Woods Estate 2023 Reserve Chardonnay (WA)
Sauvignon Blanc
Xanadu 2024 Vinework Sauvignon Blanc (WA)
Semillon
Tyrrell’s Vineyards 2017 Belford Semillon (NSW)
Riesling
Orlando 2012 Steingarten Riesling (SA)
Pinot Gris/Grigio
De Bortoli 2024 One Line Pinot Grigio (VIC)
Sweet White
De Bortoli 2021 Noble One Semillon (VIC)
Sparkling
House of Arras 2016 Grand Vintage (TAS).
Learn more about the National Wine Festival, including event details and where to purchase the winning wines, by following the Festival on Facebook or Instagram.
Original Article published by Lucy Ridge on Region Canberra.
