The 2021 G7 Shiraz by The Willows Vineyard, a small producer from Barossa’s north, has won Wine of the Year at the 2022 Barossa Wine Show.
The single-vineyard Shiraz was awarded a total of five trophies for its vibrant expression of Barossa’s regional hero.
“The 2021 The Willows Vineyard G7 Shiraz is a wine of vitality and succulence, and quite moreish,” chair of judges Sue Bell said.
“A beautiful representation of the Barossa from a very strong vintage. It is lovely to see an authentic, yet modern style of Shiraz.”
The Willows Vineyard winemaker and viticulturist Jack Scholz said, “I know how hard it is to win this award.
“There are a number of wines worthy of winning this trophy.
“So when the cards fall your way it really is a humbling experience.
“I look out across the crowd and see so many people that I’m lucky to call friends.
“People that I have worked with, learned from and have helped me and my family along the journey.
“I want to say thank you very much, thanks for your friendship.
“Barossa truly is a special place in that regard.”
The 2021 vintage stood out as a particularly expressive vintage, while the region’s suitability for traditional Rhone varieties was noted.
“Judging across the classes, 2021 as a vintage really stood out for its quality across a strong range of classes,” Sue said.
“The vintage was particularly noted for its freshness and vibrancy. Grenache and GSM are always exciting, and the creation of two new classes for Mataro and Rhone whites, shines a light on how well these varieties are performing.”
The Willows Vineyard received a sixth trophy, Best Mataro/Mourvédre for the 2021 G7 Mataro.
“Judging without knowing varieties, gives the judges the opportunity to focus on place,” Sue said.
“It was a very tight race for Wine of Show between Shiraz and Mataro.
“Interestingly, both wines made by the same producer. What a great effort.”
International judge Mark Pygott MW (UK) returned to the show this year, also judging the Wine of Provenance classes.
“This is a very important class, as it demonstrates Barossa’s ability to produce wines that persist and age gracefully,” he said.
“No wine exemplified this more in the whites than Peter Lehmann Wines Wigan Riesling.
“Over its 17-year span it demonstrated great consistency, texture and flavour and was unanimously voted as White Wine of Provenance.
“Equally, the Red Wine of Provenance, Saltram No. 1 Shiraz, had incredible purity and connection across the 16 years represented by the three wines, with the 2006 vintage particularly impressive.”
A total of 474 medals were awarded in the Barossa Wine Show; 74 gold, 160 silver and 240 bronze.
PERNOD RICARD WINEMAKERS – L HUGO & COLIN GRAMP MEMORIAL TROPHY Best 2022 Riesling, Class 1
Penfolds 2022 Bin 51 Eden Valley Riesling
ACCLAIMED WORKFORCE TROPHY
Best 2021 or older Riesling, Class 2
Leo Buring 2017 Leonay Mature Release Riesling
HAHN CORPORATION TROPHY
Best Semillon, Class 3
Grant Burge 2016 Centenerian Semillon
THE BRADY & CO TROPHY
Best White Wine – other varieties or blends
Yalumba 2021 Samuel’s Collection Eden Valley Viognier
KWIK KOPY NORWOOD TROPHY
Best Rosé, Class 6
Tscharke Wines 2022 Grenache Rosè
VINTNERS BAR & GRILL TROPHY
Best Sweet or Sparkling Wine
Heggies Vineyard Estate 2021 Botrytis Riesling
TARAC TECHNOLOGIES TROPHY
Best Fortified Wine, Class 21-24
Liebichwein NV Rare Muscat
JBG ARCHITECTS TROPHY
Best Red Wine – other varieties, Class 18
Little Giant 2021 Little Batch Montepulciano
CCL LABEL TROPHY
Best Red Wine – other blends, Class 12
Jacob’s Creek 2021 Our Limited Release Barossa Red Field Blend
RIEDEL TROPHY
Best Mataro/Mourvédre
The Willows Vineyard 2021 G7 Mataro
THE A STILLER COOPERS TROPHY
Best Shiraz and Cabernet blend, Class 15
Henschke 2019 Keyneton Euphonium
VINPAC INTERNATIONAL & PROWINE TROPHY
Best Grenache, Class 16
Greenock Creek 2021 Cornerstone Grenache
BAROSSA ENTERPRISES TROPHY
Best Cabernet Sauvignon, Class 13 & 14
Peter Lehmann Wines 2021 Hill & Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
BOB McLEAN MEMORIAL TROPHY SPONSORED BY LALLEMAND AUSTRALIA
Best Grenache, Shiraz and Mourvedre dominant blends, Class 17
Hentley Farm 2021 Villain and Vixen GSM
FERMENTIS TROPHY
Best Museum Red Wine, Class 20
St Hugo 2015 Single Vineyard Barossa Valley Hahn Shiraz
ROD SCHUBERT TROPHY
Best 2021 Shiraz, Class 9
The Willows Vineyard 2021 G7 Shiraz
WINECHEK TROPHY
Best 2020 Shiraz, Class 10
Peter Lehmann Wines 2020 Eight Songs Shiraz
THE GREENOCK TROPHY
Best 2019 or older Shiraz, Class 11
Wolf Blass 2018 Sapphire Label St Johns Shiraz
LAFFORT TROPHY
Best 2022 Dry Red Wine, Class 19
Sons of Eden 2022 East of Eden Barossa Valley Grenache
AP JOHN COOPERS TROPHY
Best Shiraz Trophy
The Willows Vineyard 2021 G7 Shiraz
THE BARONS OF BAROSSA TROPHY
The Chairman’s Selection for The Barossa Cellar
Hentley Farm 2021 Villain and Vixen Shiraz
PETER LEHMANN PERPETUAL TROPHY SPONSORED BY CASELLA FAMILY BRANDS
Wine of Provenance – White
Peter Lehmann Wines Wigan Riesling – 2015, 2010, 2005
Wine of Provenance – Red
Saltram Wine Estate No. 1 Shiraz – 2017, 2010, 2006
BAROSSA VALLEY TOYOTA TROPHY
Most Outstanding Barossa White Table Wine, Premium Classes
Penfolds 2022 Bin 51 Eden Valley Riesling
SEGUIN MOREAU TROPHY
Most Outstanding Barossa Red Table Wine, Premium Classes
The Willows Vineyard 2021 G7 Shiraz
BURGE BAROSSA TROPHY
Most Outstanding Barossa Single Vineyard Wine, Premium Classes
The Willows Vineyard 2021 G7 Shiraz
Viticulturist: Jack Scholz
COOPERAGES 1912 AUSTRALIA TROPHY
Best Small Sized Winery
Pirathon Wines
MULTI-COLOR CORPORATION TROPHY
Best Medium Sized Winery
Hentley Farm
AHRENS TROPHY
Best Large Sized Winery
Treasury Wine Estates
ORORA BEVERAGE TROPHY
Most Outstanding Barossa Wine, Premium Classes
The Willows Vineyard 2021 G7 Shiraz