This morning, House of Arras Chief Winemaker Ed Carr was named Sparkling Winemaker of the Year at the International Wine Challenge (IWC), being the first Australian winemaker to take this title in the competition’s 40-year history.
In accepting the award, Carr also became the second non-Champagne winner in the history of the competition.
The win was announced at a ceremony held overnight at The Oval in London, with Carr present to accept the award.
Speaking about his achievement, he said: “I’m incredibly honoured to be named this year’s Sparkling Winemaker of the Year. It’s a challenge to describe the feeling, but I’m proud to be recognised amongst my peers for such a significant international award.
“Everything we do at House of Arras is based on our single-minded approach to crafting exceptional sparkling wine that speaks to Tasmania’s cool climate and ancient soils and is equal to the world’s best. This endorsement from one of the world’s most respected wine competitions is a testament to this mission, and I’m thrilled to share this award with the team.”
The IWC is recognised as one of the world’s most prestigious wine competitions, with a judging panel comprising over 500 experts from more than 38 countries.
Having received a previous nomination in 2022, this marks the second time Carr has been named as a finalist for the IWC Sparkling Winemaker of the Year, being the only Australian winemaker to be shortlisted as a finalist since the competitions results were first published in 2009.
Along with Carr’s monumental win, House of Arras also takes home the Australian Sparkling Trophy for its 2014 House of Arras Blanc de Blancs and a total of two gold and six silver medals.
Reflecting on a spate of success at wine shows over the course of the year, with the winery awarded the Sparkling Wine Trophy at Australia’s 2024 National Wine Show among other international wins, Carr said: “2024 has been an outstanding year on the awards front, and I’m honoured to add this recent recognition from the International Wine Challenge to the mantle.”