WINEWISE SMALL VIGNERON AWARDS
"For many small winemakers Canberra’s Winewise Small Vignerons Awards is the most important Australian wine show, overshadowing the usually prestigious and larger – but to them irrelevant – Sydney, Adelaide and National Wine Shows." Chris Shanahan
2010 SMALL VIGNERON AWARDS
Judging for the 2010 Winewise Small Vigneron Awards will be held in Canberra in early July 2010.
The 2010 Small Vigneron Awards are limited to producers who crushed 250 tonnes or less for their own label in the 2009 vintage. Judging by one of Australia's most experienced panels will be undertaken according to the highest Australian show standards. Gold, Silver and Bronze awards are allocated and Trophies awarded to the best varietals and blends.
Wines are poured by stewards, “blind”, and scored out of 20 by panels of three, each under the guidance of a panel chair. A gold medal wine is >18.4, a silver medal is >16.9 and <18.5, and a bronze is >15.4 and <17.0. Judges, as a matter of convention, score in full or half points e.g. 17, 17.5, 18.0, 18.5.
Reviews of all the Gold and Silver Medal winners will be published in the August 2010 issue of Winewise Magazine which is available by subscription only: Subscribe Now.
Entry and Application Forms for the Awards will be emailed or posted to individual producers soon but will also be available for download on this website.
For Full Results of the 2009 Awards: Click Here
For a list of Trophy winners: see below
2009 SVA Judges: Deb Pearce, Ken Gargett and Ian McKenzie
Chairman Lester Jesberg's comments on the 2009 results:
"We were very impressed with the quality which producers have sustained despite the well publicised travails of the wine industry. The chardonnay and pinot noir classes gave us several highlights, demonstrating just how well-suited to small makers those varieties are.
The semillon class (dominated by Hunter wines) was outstanding, and provided the best taste-off for a Trophy, with very little separating any of the wines. Shiraz again proved to be Australia's dominant red grape variety, and showed its adaptability to a wide range of growing conditions.
Italian and Spanish red varieties continue to emerge, and exciting times lie ahead. There is great potential for tempranillo and sangiovese to be blended with other varieties such as grenache and shiraz.
A number of inland regions are making their mark - Canberra, Cowra, Hilltops, Orange and Mudgee in particular - with a range of styles including riesling, chardonnay, sauvignon blanc, sangiovese and shiraz.
The most pleasant surprise saw two Trophies (viognier and rosé) go to Western Australia's Swan Valley."
2009 SMALL VIGNERON AWARDS JUDGES
CHAIRMAN: Lester Jesberg (Winewise Magazine)
JUDGES
James Halliday (Author & Journalist)
Ian McKenzie (Consulting Oenologist)
Peter-John Charteris (Winemaker, Brokenwood)
Russell Cody (Senior Winemaker, McWilliams)
Samantha Connew (Winemaker, Wirra Wirra)
Bryan Currie (Chief Winemaker, West End)
Sarah Fagan (Winemaker, De Bortoli, Yarra Valley)
Ken Gargett (Wine Journalist, Courier Mail)
Tim Kirk (Winemaker, Clonakilla)
Alex McKay (Winemaker, Collector Wines)
Debbie Pearce (Sommelier, Freelance Writer, Winewise panellist)
Len Sorbello (Winewise Magazine)
Chris Shanahan (Wine Journalist, Canberra Times)
Kerri Thompson (CEO/Winemaker, KT & The Falcon)
Ray Wilson (Winewise Magazine)
ASSOCIATE JUDGES
Chris Carpenter (Winemaker, Lark Hill)
Sarah Crowe (Assistant Winemaker, Brokenwood)
Simon Killeen (Stanton & Killeen)
Fergus McGhee (Wine Journalist, Canberra Times)
Chris Tyrrell (Assistant Winemaker, Tyrrell’s Wines)
2009 Winewise Small Vigneron Awards Trophy Winners
- 2009 Robert Stein Riesling
- 2009 Printhie Sauvignon Blanc
- 2004 Meerea Park Alexander Munro Semillon
- 2008 Seville Estate Chardonnay
- 2008 Oakridge Fumé Blanc
- 2008 Heafod Glen Viognier
- 2008 Bellbrae Estate Longboard Semillon Sauvignon Blanc
- 2008 Delatite Late Harvest Riesling
- 2009 Pinelli Wines Breanna Rosé
- 2008 Montalto Vineyards Pinot Noir
- 2008 Goona Warra Vineyard Shiraz
- 2007 Penna Lane Clare Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
- 2007 Karanto Aglianico
- 2007 Capercaillie The Clan
- 1998 Beckingham Wines Pas de Deux Pinot Noir & Chardonnay
- 2006 919 Wines Vintage Fortified
Most Successful Exhibitor: Thomas Wines (Hunter Valley)
2008 Winewise Small Vigneron Awards Trophy Winners
- 2007 Bundaleer Eden Valley Riesling
- 2006 Thomas Wines Braemore Semillon
- 2006 Brandy Creek Wines Sparkling Pinot Gris
- 2006 Mistletoe Reserve Chardonnay
- 2008 Sorby Adams Eden Valley The GT Gewürztraminer
- 2007 Wine by Brad Semillon Sauvignon Blanc
- 2006 Elgee Park Pinot Noir
- 2006 Vincognita McLaren Vale Shiraz
- 2002 Balgownie Estate White Label Bendigo Cabernet Sauvignon
- 2006 Hugh Hamilton Wines The Ratbag Merlot
- 2006 Grove Estate Reserve Nebbiolo
- 2005 Oliver's Taranga Corrina's Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon
- 2007 Josef Chromy Wines Botrytis Riesling
- 2006 919 Wines Vintage Port
Most Successful Exhibitor: Mistletoe Wines
2007 Winewise Small Vigneron Awards Trophy Winners
- 2005 Helm Premium Riesling
- 2000 Capercaillie Semillon
- 2006 Delatite Winery Sauvignon Blanc
- 2007 Lenton Brae Semillon Sauvignon Blanc
- 2005 Montgomery's Hill Chardonnay
- 2006 Haan Hanenhof Viognier
- NV No.1 Family Estate Cuvée No.1
- 2005 Barringwood Park Mill Block Pinot Noir
- 2005 Parker Coonawarra Merlot
- 2005 Kabminye Grenache Carignan
- 2005 Morgan Simpson Shiraz
- 2005 Brookwood Estate Cabernet Sauvignon
- 2004 Shaw Vineyard Estate Cabernet Shiraz
- NV Burge Family Winemakers Wilsford Founder's Reserve Old Tawny
Most Successful Exhibitor: Capercaillie Wines