Local wines praised for quality

MORE than two hundred and sixty entries were received for the 2025 Interpack Heathcote Wine Show recently.

Judging took place at Barrack Reserve and the RSL Hall, and the winners were announced at the Annual Celebration lunch which was held on International Shiraz Day.

“There were so many good wines this year with the largest number of entries since I started judging here,” said Justin Purser in his final year as chair of judges.

“After a few great vintages in Heathcote, the red wine classes did not disappoint, with several truly exceptional wines.

“Well done to those producers.”

Following on from recent success at the National Wine Show, Heathcote Estate took out Wine of the Show, Best Shiraz, Best Single Vinyard Wine, Best Young Shiraz and Best Rose Wine.

Tellurian won Best Other Wine and Best Red Wine.

For the third time in four years, Sanguine Estate won Heathcote Wine of Provenance.

Heathcote Winegrowers President Ian Hopkins was pleased with the results.

“The 2025 Heathcote Wine Show proved a breath of fresh air and a bright light against the gloomy backdrop of recent publicity on the Australian Wine Industry,” he said.

“Total entries were up 15 percent on last year and were at their highest level since 2019 with Chair of Judges Justin Purser noting the consistency of quality across all classes, a point borne out by the fact that 63 percent of the wines entered were awarded a medal.”

CLASS TROPHIES

Best White Wine – Melbourne Royal Trophy Flynns Wines Fiano 2024

Best Rose – Nutrien Trophy Heathcote Estate Single Vineyard Rose 2025

Best Young Shiraz – Midland Insurance Trophy Heathcote Estate Single Vineyard Shiraz 2023

Best Older Shiraz – OzPak Trophy Burke & Wills Winery Vat 1 Shiraz 2018

Best Red Wine (Iberian/Italian) – Chêne

Australasia Trophy Tellurian Nero d’Avola 2024

Best Red Wine (Rhone) – Devil’s Racks Trophy Tellurian GSM 2024

Best Cabernet – Riedel Trophy Colbinabbin Estate 2021 Rosie Georgia Cabernet Sauvignon

Best Red Wine (Other) – Wright’s Transport Trophy Colbinabbin Estate 2021 Rosie Georgia Cabernet Sauvignon

MAJOR TROPHIES

Chair’s Award – Sponsored by Kauri Lake Cooper Estate Grenache 2024