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
Dr Tony Jordan Trophy for Best Sparkling
Pirie 2020 Sparkling Vintage
Douglas Seabrook Trophy for the Best Single Vineyard Wine
Four Winds Vineyard 2023 Shiraz
Kym Ludvigsen Trophy for Viticultural Excellence
John Collingwood, Four Winds viticulturist.
Bill Chambers Trophy for Best Fortified Wine
McWilliam’s 20 Year Old Tawny NV
James Halliday Trophy for Best Pinot Noir
Home Hill Wines 2023 Kelly’s Reserve Pinot Noir
Trevor Mast Trophy for Best Shiraz
Four Winds Vineyard 2023 Shiraz
Champion Victorian Winery Trophy
Oakridge
Francois De Castella Trophy for Best Young White
Tolpuddle 2023 Chardonnay
Jimmy Watson Memorial Trophy
Four Winds Vineyard 2023 Shiraz
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