The trophy winners of the 2023 Adelaide Hills Wine Show have been announced at a gala luncheon at Lot 100 in Nairne, revealing the top wines made in the region.
Presenting the trophies was Harris Real Estate/Taylor Bishop, with 15 different wines receiving trophies across the various categories out of 627 entries.
Sidewood Estate dominated this years show scooping seven trophies, which marks the first occasion that a single producer has won so many categories with three different wines in the show’s 26-year history.
The wine of the day was Sidewood’s 2021 Mappinga Chardonnay, which took out the title for Best Wine of the Show, Best White Wine, Best Chardonnay and Best Single Vineyard Wine. The award for Best Sparkling Wine also went to Sidewood for its 2015 Isabella Rosé Sparkling, while 2023 The Mad Cat Rosé took home the title of Best Rosé.
Owner Owen Inglis expressed his excitement, saying: “We are thrilled with Sidewood’s recent success at the Adelaide Hills Wine Show. Being the first winery in the history of the show to win three varietal trophies is a testament to the dedication and passion our team has poured into Sidewood over the past two decades. We certainly didn’t expect to come home with what we received today.”
These outstanding results culminated in Sidewood Estate being named Best Producer of the Show >100 Tonnes, to back up winning the same award last year.
Alex Trescowthick, President of the Adelaide Hills Wine Region, noted: “Sidewood Estate’s commitment and passion for the Adelaide Hills wine region is indisputable. For the past 20 years, Owen and Cassandra Inglis have dedicated themselves to outstanding wine quality and they must be bursting with pride in their achievements. I’d say there will be some big celebrations over in Hahndorf this week.”
Sarah Crowe, Head of Judges, also congratulated Sidewood Estate, saying: “The Best Wine of the Show, whose identity was later revealed to me as the Sidewood 2021 Mappinga Chardonnay, showed excellent balance and complexity, perfectly treading the fine line between refinement and flintiness, and generosity of flavour and complexity.”
Also performing exceptionally well, Longview Vineyard was the receipient of four trophies, winning Best Red Wine of Show and Best Shiraz for its 2022 Macclesfield Syrah Best Red, Best Cabernet or Blend for Devil’s Elbow 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon, and Best Gruner Veltliner for its 2023 Macclesfield Wine.
Crowe noted: “Regarding the Best Red Wine, the Longview 2022 Macclesfield Syrah had a lovely fruit profile, good volume on palate, and a wonderful acid line. There was also a lovely nettle-like grip on the palate that gave the wine an extra element of freshness.”
Boutique Lenswood winery, Mount Lofty Ranges Vineyard, took home the title of Best Producer of the Show <100 Tonnes on the back of its 2023 Home Block Riesling, which was deemed Best Riesling.
For the first time in an Australian wine show, a new trophy was created for Best Gamay, a newly emerging varietal star of the Adelaide Hills region. Of a record number of 14 Gamay wines entered into this year’s show, the trophy was awarded to Golding Single Vineyard Series 2023 Ombre Gamay.
Trescowthick said: “There is fantastic potential for the Adelaide Hills wine region to become the leader for Gamay in Australia. The unique red grape variety grows beautifully in our cool climate and produces elegant, medium-bodied wines with finesse and flavour.”
Crowe added: “In a couple of years’ time, Adelaide Hills Gamay will be a very exciting category. My decision to award a trophy for Gamay this year will hopefully drive Adelaide Hills’ wine producers to continue to strive for excellence.”
Another great award from the Adelaide Hills Wine Show was for Artwine’s The Real Thing Albarino taking out the Best Other White Wine. Artwine have championed this great variety for several years and this trophy came hot on the heels of their major Trophy at the AAVWS for the Best Iberian Variety.