If Renae Hirsch’s career was a pop song, it’d have to be Ironic by Alanis Morissette.
There’s undeniable irony about a winemaker with an aversion to attention winning some of the most coveted wine show awards in Australia.
In the latest cover story in WBM, the wise wallflower opens up to Katie Spain about the pros and cons of carving out a life in the contract winemaking lane.
In June 2025, Renae accepted the Prime Minister’s Trophy for Willunga 100’s 2023 McLaren Vale Grenache.
It was the first time in the National Wine Show’s 50-year history the variety won Champion Wine of Show.
At $30 a bottle, the nation went nuts.
The awards ceremony took place at Australian Parliament House and with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in Canada for the G7 Leaders’ Summit, Trade Minister Don Farrell was on hand to present the award.
“It was definitely a career highlight,” Renae says.
“I do like the recognition and it’s nice that the wines are doing well, but I’m not out there trying to win awards. I just enjoy making wines that people really like.”
Read Katie Spain’s full nine-page feature story in WBM – Australia’s Wine Business Magazine. Now available in print or digital.
Photos: Ben Macmahon.
Recent Comments