The Rutherglen wine region in North-East Victoria is best known for its world-class Muscat and is also celebrated for producing bold and full-bodied red wines, but a recent run of award wins for De Bortoli wines highlights the fact there is more to this region.
The evolution of Rutherglen was recognised at the 2025 National Wine Show of Australia, where De Bortoli Wines’ 2024 One Line Pinot Grigio was awarded the Best Pinot Gris/Grigio of Show Trophy. The accolade adds to a growing list of achievements for the One Line range: the 2024 Tempranillo received a Gold Medal at the 2025 Cairns Wine Show and Silver Medals at both the 2025 Decanter World Wine Awards and the International Wine & Spirit Competition, while the 2024 Sangiovese was also awarded Silver.
De Bortoli Wines said these results showcase a quiet shift happening in the region, where a wider range of varietals and styles are emerging alongside Rutherglen’s long-standing icons.
“This trophy is a win for Rutherglen as much as it is for De Bortoli,” said Marc Scalzo, Chief Winemaker.
“When people think of the region, they often think of fortifieds or big, bold reds and rightly so. But Rutherglen is so much more than that. With the One Line range, we’re exploring what else is possible. The potential here goes well beyond what the region has always been known for.”
With over 185 hectares of vineyards in the region, De Bortoli continues to invest in Rutherglen’s future, balancing innovation with respect for tradition. “Rutherglen will always be the home of Muscat and powerhouse reds,” said Scalzo. “But it’s also a place of potential. We’re not looking to change what the region stands for, we simply hope to contribute to its evolving story.”
The winemaker said Rutherglen’s warm days, cool alpine-influenced nights and long, dry autumns, the region provides ideal conditions for producing a growing diversity of wine styles.