Region’s best grapes vie for spotlight

Wine Geelong will next week celebrate the 21st anniversary of the Geelong Wine Show, with the region’s best winemakers turning out to Waurn Ponds Estate for their shot at a vine of acknowledgements.

This year’s event – which will be held on Wednesday October 16 and Thursday October 17 – will commemorate the increased collaboration between big names in the Geelong wine industry, as well as the unlikely camaraderie formed within the competitive market.

Wine Geelong executive and events manager Jo Wealands said the annual gathering will serve as a learning and development opportunity for the region’s diverse winegrowers.

“The Geelong Wine Show aims to promote excellence in wine growing in the region, broadly promote the wines of the region to the wine trade and wine drinking public, to identify the best wines of the region each year, as well as fostering links between sponsors and the wine industry.

“The high calibre of judges, sponsors and winemakers make the Geelong Wine Show one of the standout regional wine shows in Australia and with renowned winemakers Jen Pfeiffer and John Harris to be joined by sommelier Liam O’Brien on the 2019 judging panel, the event provides an essential benchmarking opportunity in the wine industry.”

Ms Wealands also said each entrant will be provided with written feedback that can later be used for future winemaking decisions, while two wine industry representatives will be offered the chance to participate in a mentored judging experience made available via the Associate Judging Program.

Sam Vogel of Provenance Wines, who won last year’s highly coveted ‘Best In Show’ award, said the Geelong Wine Show was an exciting time of year for the Geelong wine industry.

“With so many terrific wineries in the region, it’s always interesting to see who comes out on top.

“It’s a great event with over 200 wineries involved, and the judges and organising committee do a wonderful job every year.”

The 2019 gold, silver and bronze medal winning wines will be presented and showcased at an awards dinner, with inductions to the Geelong Wine Industry Hall of Fame also taking place.

Kate Stevenson, co-host of 3AW’s A Moveable Feast, will host the formal dinner at Truffleduck on October 18.

A public tasting event of the trophy-winning wines will take place at the Archive Wine Bar on October 20 (limited tickets available). For more information or to purchase tickets, visit geelongwineshow.com.au.