The Gippsland Wine Company won Best Wine of Show at the 2024 Westpac Gippsland Wine Show.
The winning wine was Gippsland Wine Company 2023 Loch Chardonnay.
It is the second time the Loch-based producer has won Best Wine of Show – the first in 2011.
The winery is owned by Mark Heath and Jane Taylor.
Mark describes the award as “a great honour”.
He says it reinforces the suitability of the Loch site to Chardonnay.
Mark purchased another eight hectares nearby to plan more Chardonnay and use best organic practices in the vineyard.
Rick Lacey and Maira Vitols of Purple Hen Winery won the Eckersley Award for outstanding contribution to the Gippsland wine community.
Wine Gippsland president Alistair Hicks spoke of Rick’s collegiate nature and his ongoing commitment to raising the quality of Gippsland wines, through learning, innovation and sharing best practice.
The show attracted 114 entries with a strong focus on Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
Fifty-three medals were handed out including five gold trophies, 14 gold medals, 15 silver and 24 bronze.
Best Wine of Show
Gippsland Wine Company 2023 Loch Chardonnay
Best Red Wine of Provenance
Dirty Three All The Dirts Pinot Noir 2019, 2022, 2023
Best White Wine of Provenance
Purple Hen Off Dry Riesling 2020, 2021, 2024
Most Successful Exhibitor Trophy
Lightfoot Wines
Best Sparkling
Carrajung Estate 2020 Vintage Sparkling Chardonnay
Best Aromatic
Dirty Three 2024 The Dirty Rizza Riesling
Best Chardonnay
Gippsland Wine Company 2023 Loch Chardonnay
Best Pinot Noir
Silverwaters Vineyard 2023 Pinot Noir
Best Shiraz
Purple Hen 2023 Shiraz
Photo: Mark Heath and Jane Taylor.
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