Jimmy Watson winning wine “holds a special place in our hearts”

Four Winds Vineyard 2023 Shiraz from the Canberra District has won the 2024 Jimmy Watson Memorial Trophy at the Melbourne Royal Wine Awards.

The small family winery also won four other trophies: the Trevor Mast Trophy for Best Shiraz; the Douglas Seabrook Trophy for Best Single Vineyard Wine; the Best NSW/ACT Shiraz and the Kym Ludvigsen Trophy for Viticultural Excellence.

Sarah and John Collingwood, who own and manage the vineyard and winery, described the five wins as an incredible honour, particularly given the challenges Canberra District wineries have faced in recent years.

The Collingwoods lost their 2020 crop due to bushfire smoke taint, followed by a series of weather events that impacted subsequent vintages.

“To win five awards is just amazing and totally unexpected. We’re delighted,” Sarah says.

In 2010 she and John took over with her husband the 30-acre Murrumbateman vineyard established by her parents 26 years ago.

“Winning the Jimmy Watson is something we have always aspired to and the other four awards are the icing on the cake,” she says

Sarah says the 2023 Shiraz holds a special place in their hearts.

“The photo on the front of the bottle is of a sheet on the washing line that sits between the Shiraz and Sangiovese blocks at Four Winds Vineyard,” she says.

“Beside the sheet is a pair of children’s trousers.

“They belong to one of our children, aged one at the time.

“Our children are now nine and 12, and that label reminds us of how our business and family have grown together.

“That this wine has won so many accolades is a testament to the incredible, ongoing support we have received from our family, team and community.”

Trophies

Best Riesling
Kirrihill Wines 2023 Regional Series Clare Riesling

Best Semillon
Brokenwood Wines ILR 2018 Reserve Semillon

Best Sauvignon Blanc
Petaluma White Label 2023 Sauvignon Blanc

Best Pinot Gris/Grigio
Wayward Child Helen & Joey 2024 Pinot Gris

Best Single Varietal White
Kroos Tripe.Iscariot 2023 Chenin Blanc

Best Victorian Chardonnay
Oakridge 864 Henk Aqueduct 2022 Chardonnay

Best Tasmanian Chardonnay
Tolpuddle Vineyard 2023 Chardonnay

Best South Australian Chardonnay
Sidewood Estate 2022 Signature Owen’s Chardonnay

Best New South Wales Chardonnay
Pinnacle Drinks Kaleidoscope 2023 Tumbarumba Chardonnay

Best Chardonnay
Tolpuddle Vineyard 2023 Chardonnay

Best White Blend
Glenlofty Estate 2023 Reserve Marsanne Roussanne

Best Sweet White Wine
Pressing Matters R139 2022 Riesling

Best Rose
Longview Vineyard 2024 Juno Rosato

Best Grenache
Willunga 100 Smart Vineyard 2023 Clarendon Grenache

Best Victorian Shiraz
Yarra Yering 2022 Underhill Shiraz

Best South Australian Shiraz
Small Victories Wine Co 2023 Shiraz

Best Western Australian Shiraz
Forester 2023 Lifestyle Shiraz

Best New South Wales Shiraz
Four Winds Vineyard 2023 Shiraz

Best Cabernet Sauvignon
Xanadu Wines 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon

Best Red Blend
Bleasdale Vineyards 2023 Frank Potts

Best Single Varietal Red
Wines of Merritt 2023 Wilyabrup Cabernet Franc

Best Organic or Biodynamic Wine Trophy
Battle of Bosworth 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon

Consistency of Excellence
Stella Bella 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon
Xanadu 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon
Morris Wines Cellar Reserve Grand Muscat
Morris Wines Cellar Reserve Grand Topaque
Leo Buring 2023 Leopold Riesling
Morris Wines Old Premium Rare Muscat NV
Naked Run Wines 2022 Place in Time Sevenhill Riesling
S.C. Pannell 2023 Basso Garnacha
Yarra Yering 2022 Underhill