Awards

The annual Vineyard of the Year Awards have been decided, with the trophy winners for the fourth instalment announced at a trophy presentation in Melbourne. It was a unique gathering of growers from around Australia that included pioneering legends like Brian Freeman and David Paxton alongside emerging viticulturists. There were agricultural college alumni and vintage hands reunited after decades apart, while for all who gathered, new friendships were made. It was an evening to celebrate the work of all the finalists, culminating in the presentation of four trophies.

Winestate Wine of Year Awards 2023 celebrates wines awarded 4, 4.5 and 5 Stars in 2022. The current 2023 Wine of The Year Awards Edition features our 2021 Mataro Durif which was award 4.5 Stars - 96 points - Gold - Top in Category in June 2022.

'Deep purple wine that is rich, inky and complex with a surprisingly perfumed/spicy fruit nose and flavours of blueberries, aniseed and spices with good tannin support.'

Outscoring wines that retail for over twice the price. It's a no brainer isn't it? More great value from the Riverland. Top on quality and affordability.

Thanks goodness the Queen gave us a day off today as our heads were a bit sore! So humbled to be announced as the JMA Riverland Wine Industry Person of 2022 last night at the Riverland Wine Show - 50th Anniversary Gala Dinner in Loxton.

Every person in the room last night and many more deserve recognition for the tireless work they do for our wonderful region. Showing up each day in the vineyard, winery and business is important. Looking after your neighbours and families in good times and bad times is important. Pushing the boundaries and striving for a state of the art, inclusive and sustainable wine growing and producing community that produces wine our customers like to drink every day is important. You all ROCK!

Congratulations to the Riverland Wine Show Committee, Volunteers and Sponsors on another successful show. Thankyou to the Wine Australia Board and Exec for taking the time to visit our region. Thankyou to Chris Byrne for being a wonderful mentor over many years and to my family for allowing me to spend time helping others. And thankyou to JMA for the super sized wine glass I get to use for the next 12 months.

Wine Showcase Magazine article and reviews, written by Paul Durrant.

"After six generations of farming history along the Murray River, extending dairy cows to viticulture. This family company is reaching for the sky."

The Riverland has long been the bulk wine heart of South Australia, with growers churning our cheap fruit pumped up with irrigation. And while the region will likely always serve this function, the script is being rewritten by players like Starrs Reach, who both sell premium fruit and make wine under their own label. Sheridan Alm runs the operation with a focus on minimal inputs, sustainability and restoring non vineyard land, including Mallee scrub, floodplains and wetlands. With Grenache and Mataro core varieties, Alm is intent on proving that the focus on quality on a large scale, growing grapes that suit modern wine styles and focus on bright fruit flavours and freshness.

Started in 2015 , the Australian Women in Wine Awards are the worlds first and only awards platform for women in wine. The awards are owned and operated by the Fabulous Ladies’ Wine Society and entirely funded by sponsorship. The AWIWA working to celebrate and reward the work of women in the Australian Wine Community and community leaders who champion diversity and fairness for all sexes in the workplace.

Our #vitichicks do the hard yards in the vineyard to produce the fruit everyone wants, all the while keeping on top of the latest research and best practice methods to ensure top quality yields year after year. This award recognises that great wine always starts in the vineyard. And in particular it looks at the consistent performance of the viticulturist over the last few seasons, and their use of innovation and/or best practice methods to achieve results.