A little-known vineyard “in the heart of Geelong” has produced the region’s annual wine of the year, organisers have announced.
Barwon Banks 2015 Shiraz also won its category at the Geelong Wine Show, thrilling brand owner Tony Pye.
He considered the awards vindication of Barwon Bank Vineyard’s siting on a riverside allotment at Newtown.
“We’ve been making wine from that vineyard for many years now,” Mr Pye said.
“I always thought it was a good site, and this award confirms my belief.”
Show organisers described the vineyard, sited on heritage-listed property Barwon Bank, as “tiny”.
The property had a separate owner but Mr Pye had used the vineyard’s grapes “for years” to produce his Barwon Banks wines, the organisers said
Oakdene Wines was the show’s other big winner, claiming trophies for best chardonnay, pinot noir and for most-successful exhibitor.
Terindah Estate won the best other wine category for its Single Vineyard Rose.
This year’s show fielded 190 entries from 38 local wineries, “making it one of the most eagerly contested wine shows in recent years”, the organisers said.
The 19 gold, 31 silver and 57 bronze medals awarded to exhibitors reflected the “a very high strike rate” of the “exceptional vintage conditions experienced in Geelong over the past few years”, chief judge Robert Paul said.
Pinot noirs had the most entries, with 52 and seven golds, the organisers said, while shirazes accounted for 42 and five respectively
The show also inducted Ken and Joy Campbell into Geelong Wine Associations’ Hall of Fame in recognition of their contributions since helping re-establish the industry locally in the 1960s.
