CONTINUING to produce wines unique to the Riverland was key to the success of local labels at a recent industry awards event.
The 2020 Riverland Wine Show Gala Dinner – held earlier this month at Ruston’s Restaurant and Functions – saw 919 Wines win three awards for its 2018 919 Reserve Touriga Nacional, with Ricca Terra and De Bortoli wineries also claiming three trophies each.
919 Wines winemaker Eric Semmler – whose wine was named Best Single Vineyard Riverland Wine in Show, the Best Alternative Wine in Show and the Best Organic/Biodynamic Wine in Show – said the awards would draw new consumers toward Riverland brands.
“It was very successful and totally unexpected,” he said.
“To have a wine that won three trophies was quite amazing. That doesn’t happen very often.
“It’s good to continue building the reputation of this region, and upholding the reputation of our brand...
“Consumers know that if they want a good wine, they come and see us. That’s good for our business too.”
Accolade Wines commercial winemaker Viki Wade was also named JMA Wine Industry Person of the Year at the event.
Ricca Terra winemaker Ashley Ratcliff said the majority of awards were won by wines produced from experimental grape varieties.
“Three trophies are good (and) we’re very happy,” Mr Ratcliff said.
“If you look at how many trophies were awarded for alternative varieties, it was probably 80 per cent of the awards.
“The market is looking for it now. When we planted them nobody (told us) what the future is going to be, so we had to think about whether these lighter, Italian-style varieties would be popular.”
Mr Semmler said utilising grape varieties unique to the Riverland would ensure the region’s wine industry continued to expand.
“Running the wine show with those alternative, new or emerging varieties is a turning point for the region,” he said.
“To be sustainable, this region needs to be looking at varieties that cope with heat and need a bit of heat to show their best.
“That gives us a point of difference as a wine-producing region. Many of these varieties, if you try to grow them in the cooler regions, look lean and austere.
“It was really a good showcase of what the region should be doing into the future.”
Mr Semmler said the event illustrated high levels of confidence – despite challenges caused by COVID-19 – among the Riverland wine industry.
“The industry goes through phases, but there’s always something good happening in the industry as well,” he said.
“Despite the global unrest, COVID and issues with China, I think there’s still a lot of optimism there.
“If we make good wine, market it successfully and continue supporting good brands, there will be consumers that want to buy it.
“We need to keep searching and pursuing quality in all of our wines. Right throughout the country… I think winemakers are making a concerted effort to produce high-quality blends and varieties.”
The full list of results and trophy winners from the 2020 Riverland Wine Show can be found by visiting the website (www.riverlandwineshow.com.au/).