Cool three years for Adelaide Hills

For the third year running, wines from the Adelaide Hills have won Best Wine in Show at the International Cool Climate Wine Show (ICCWS) in Melbourne.

Sidewood Estate 2023 Mappinga Chardonnay was named Best Wine in Show in the 2024 ICCWS, following Wicks Estate 2022 Pinot Noir in 2023, and Sidewood’s Chloe Cuvee 2015 Chardonnay Pinot Noir in 2022.

In the years prior, wines from Victoria had invariably won.

Alex Trescowthick, president of Adelaide Hills Wine Region says, “The Adelaide Hills is really starting to fulfil its destiny as a world-class cool-climate region.

“Pioneers of the region saw the potential when the first planted vines here, but it has taken time to realise that vision.

“The quality of viticulture in the Adelaide Hills has evolved significantly and is now well-aligned with its cooler climate.

“This flows into higher quality wines, of course, but the winemaking has also evolved to better suit the sought-after style.

“The consistent success we are now seeing at wine shows, and on wine-lists and in stores, are the fruits of our collective labour over the past twenty five years.”

Sidewood Estate 2023 Mappinga Chardonnay won a total of three trophies at this year’s ICCWS show, including Best Wine in Show, Best White Wine in Show and Best Australian Wine.

Vinteloper 2023 Pinot Noir from the Adelaide Hills won Best Red Wine in Show. Vinteloper also won three of the eleven ‘Top Gold’ medals awarded at the show, for their 2024 Pinot Gris, 2023 Pinot Noir and 2022 Chardonnay.

Soumah Wines won Most Successful Exhibitor in Show.