13 August 2001

Related stories:

• 2001 Trophy Winners
• 2000 Trophy Winners
• 1999 Melbourne Wine Show
• 1998 Melbourne Wine Show (main story)
• 1999 Trophy winners
• 1998 Trophy winners
• Jimmy Watson Trophy (list of previous winners)
• 1997 Royal Melbourne Wine Show
• 1996 Royal Melbourne Wine Show
• 1998 Australian Wine Show Calendar
• 1999 Australian Wine Show Calendar
• 2000 Australian Wine Show Calendar
• 2001 Australian Wine Show Calendar

McWilliam's is most successful exhibitor at Melbourne

The Francois de Castella Trophy for the Most Successful Exhibitor of the Royal Melbourne Wine Show was won by McWilliam's Wines, which won three other trophies. The trophy was presented at the annual Royal Melbourne Wine Show Awards Dinner at the Palladium Ballroom, Crown Towers in Melbourne.

The Victorian Premier’s Gold Trophy for the exhibitor of the Best Victorian Wine in Show was awarded to Brown Brothers Milawa Vineyard Pty Ltd for its Banksdale Shiraz 1999. The guidelines for the Premier's Gold Trophy were amended this year to rotate between red wines, white wines and fortified wines each year, starting with red wines in 2001. Previously the trophy was judged across all wines each year.

The Best White Wine in Show, which received The Vintage Cellars Trophy, was judged to be Eileen Hardy Chardonnay 1998, entered by the Hardy Wine Company.

The Best Red Wine in Show, receiving the Douglas Seabrook Memorial Trophy, was won by St Andrews Cabernet Sauvignon 1999, entered by Taylors Wines Pty Ltd.

A total of 3,985 entries were received for the Royal Melbourne Wine Show which is close to the record number of 4,038 wines entered in 2000. The number of exhibitors for the 2001 event increased to 472, up from 464 in 2000. Exhibitors competed in 60 classes.

McWilliam's Wines secured a total of six trophies, 14 gold, 20 silver and 41 bronze medals. Its highly regarded Brand's of Coonawarra range awarded three trophies and three gold medals.

Twenty-five of McWilliam's medal-winning wines were current-releases; including the Brand's of Coonawarra 1996 Show Reserve Riesling which was awarded the Vinpac International Trophy for Best Riesling in the Show and the Myria and Rudi Himmer Trophy for Best Dry White Table Wine from highly aromatic varieties and blends. In addition, Brand's of Coonawarra's 2000 Reserve Merlot -- a contender for this year's coveted Jimmy Watson Trophy -- was awarded The Ronald Westwood Trophy for Best Merlot in the Show and two gold medals. This limited-release Merlot, produced only in exceptional vintages, is scheduled for release in May 2002. McWilliam's Wines was also awarded the following trophies:

• H.R. Haselgrove Memorial Trophy: Most Successful Exhibitor, Brandy Classes
• The A and G Engineering Trophy: Best Sweet White Dessert Wine (Class 35), awarded to McWilliam's 1999 Regional Collection Limited Release Riverina Botrytis (scheduled for release in 2002)

McWilliam's chief winemaker, Jim Brayne, said another highlight of the show was a gold medal to the current release, super premium Mount Pleasant 1996 Lovedale Semillon, which was awarded three trophies at the Cowra Wine Show last month. The Brand's of Coonawarra 1996 Show Reserve Riesling and Mount Pleasant 1996 Lovedale Semillon are currently available from fine wine stores priced at $25 and $39 respectively.

The Royal Melbourne Wine Show, the largest and most prestigious wine show in Australia, is supported by BMW (key presenting sponsor), and major sponsor Visy Board.

Further information: Brian Morley, Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria, telephone (03) 9281 7420 Mobile: 0414 270 054.