Geelong Wine Show holds awards dinner

The show, now in its 21st year, was a celebration of the diversity and camaraderie within Geelong’s wine industry. Small wineries and large ones all joined to enjoy the night.

Scotchmans Hill took out the Best Wine of Show award for its Cornelius 2017 Norfolk Vineyard Pinot Noir.

The judging panel included noted winemakers Jen Pfeiffer and John Harris, along with sommelier Liam O’Brien.

There were 44 exhibitors and 204 entries considered.

The overall quality of entry was high, with 51 per cent of entries receiving a medal demonstrating the high quality of wines entered this year.

The Pinot Noir class received the most recognition, but Geelong Wine Show chair Danny Goonan said other classes were similarly impressive.

“The next most awarded class was the 2018 Shiraz with three gold, four silver and eight bronze medals, with judges commenting on a good mix of styles with some lovely red-fruited, spicy, medium-bodied wines and some powerful darker, riper wines.

“Barwon Ridge took out the Chairman of Judges Award for its 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon, which was described by chief judge Jen Pfeiffer as showing lovely varietal character and great structure.”

The night also saw Bellarine-based winery The Minya’s Jeff Dans inducted into the Geelong Wine Industry Hall of Fame.

The evening was hosted by Kate Stevenson from the radio program A Moveable Feast.