The 2023 Adelaide Hills Wine Show trophy winners were announced at a gala lunch at Lot 100 in Nairne, showcasing the region’s top wines.
The trophies were presented by Harris Real Estate/Taylor Bishop, with 15 different wines taking home trophies in the various categories from 627 entries.
Sidewood Estate dominated this year’s show with seven trophies, marking the first time in the show’s 26-year history that a single producer has won so many categories with three different wines.
The wine of the day was Sidewood’s 2021 Mappinga Chardonnay, which won Best Wine of the Show, Best White Wine, Best Chardonnay and Best Single Vineyard Wine. 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. To be the first winery in the show’s history to win three varietal trophies is a testament to the dedication and passion our team has put 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 tons, following on from winning the same award last year.
Alex Trescowthick, President of the Adelaide Hills Wine Region, said: “Sidewood Estate’s commitment and passion for the Adelaide Hills wine region is undeniable. Over the past 20 years, Owen and Cassandra Inglis have dedicated themselves to excellence in wine and they must be bursting with pride in their achievements. I’d say there will be some big celebrations at Hahndorf this week.
Sarah Crowe, Head of Judging, 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 flavor and complexity.”
Longview Vineyard also performed exceptionally well and was the recipient of four trophies, winning Best Red Wine of Show and Best Shiraz for its 2022 Macclesfield Syrah, Best Red, Best Cabernet or Blend for its Devil’s Elbow 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon, and Best Gruner Veltliner for its 2023 Macclesfield Wine.
Crowe noted: “For Best Red Wine, the Longview 2022 Macclesfield Syrah had a lovely fruit profile, good volume on the palate and a wonderful acid line. There was also a nice nettle-like grip on the palate that gave the wine an extra element of freshness.
Lenswood’s boutique winery, Mount Lofty Ranges Vineyard, took home the title of Best Producer of the Show <100 tons for its 2023 Home Block Riesling, which was judged Best Riesling.
For the first time at an Australian wine show, a new trophy was created for Best Gamay, an emerging varietal star of the Adelaide Hills region. Out of a record 14 Gamay wines entered at this year’s show, the trophy was awarded to the Golding Single Vineyard Series 2023 Ombre Gamay.
Trescowthick said: “There is fantastic potential for the Adelaide Hills wine region to become the leading region for Gamay in Australia. The unique red grape grows beautifully in our cool climate and produces elegant, medium-bodied wines with finesse and flavor.
Crowe added: “In a few years time, Adelaide Hills Gamay will be a very exciting category. My decision to award a trophy to Gamay this year will hopefully inspire Adelaide Hills winemakers to continue to strive for excellence”.
