By Amy Looker, editor National Liquor News
Wolf Blass has emerged as the star of the 2013 International Wine and Spirit Competition (IWSC), taking home the title of International Winemaker of the Year.
This year’s win at the prestigious London-based awards is the third time the Barossa Valley winery has won top honours at the IWSC, the first being 1992, followed by 2002.
In addition to being named International Winemaker of Year, Wolf Blass was awarded four trophies including Australian Producer of the Year, Best Single Vineyard Red Wine for the 2008 Wolf Blass Platinum Label, Best Single Vineyard White Wine for the 2001 Wolf Blass White Label Riesling, and Best Riesling for the 2001 Wolf Blass White Label Riesling. [continued below]
The Wolf Blass winemaking team
Wolf Blass chief winemaker, Chris Hatcher, said the win capped off an exceptional year for the winery.
“Winning International Winemaker of the Year at one of the world’s most respected and prestigious wine competitions is incredibly special. It is particularly pleasing to receive the highest accolade for our Single Vineyard wines – Platinum Label Shiraz 2008 from our Medlands Estate ‘Orchard’ vineyard and White Label Riesling 2001 from Rogers Block in Eden Valley,” said Hatcher.
“This is a great reward and recognition of the dedication and hard work our winemaking and viticultural teams put into making exceptional quality wines and I am extremely proud of them. We treasure awards won at respected international wine competitions as they are a true independent assessment of our wines from some of the most experienced and respected wine judges in the world.”
The IWSC was established in 1969 and is recognised as one of the world’s most influential wine competitions with exhibitors from almost 90 countries.
For the full list of winners, click here.