Southern winemakers honoured at awards

In addition to announcing that Evans & Tate had won a number of awards at the the Margaret River Wine Show last night, the Margaret River Wine Industry Association announced other winners.

These included Woodlands Wines Cabernet Sauvignon 2002, Briarose Estate Savignon Blanc 2005, Cape Mentelle Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2005, Brookland Valley Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2002 and the 2004 Stella Bella Shiraz.

The full release from the Margaret River Wine Industry Association can be read below.

White is definitely Evans and Tate's colour with a spectacular result at the Commonwealth Bank 2005 Margaret River Wine Show for its white wines.

Evans and Tate was awarded Best Wine of the Show with its Evans and Tate Margaret River Chardonnay 2004, which also won Best Chardonnay.

Evans and Tate also took Best Museum Award with the Evans & Tate Redbrook Chardonnay 2001 and Best Semillon with the Evans and Tate Margaret River Semillon 2005.

Not surprisingly, Evans and Tate also took out Most Successful Exhibitor.

Best Chardonnay was a new trophy award in 2005, as was Best Cabernet Sauvignon, which was awarded to Woodlands Cabernet Sauvignon 2002. The addition of the two new trophies was to recognise these two varieties' influence in putting Margaret River on the map for its premium wines.

Briarose Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2005 was awarded Best Sauvignon Blanc at the prestigious Gala Awards Dinner at Watershed Premium Wines on Thursday, December 1.

Cape Mentelle picked up Best Sauvignon Blanc or Semillon Blend with the Cape Mentelle Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2005.

Best Cabernet Sauvignon Blend went to Brookland Valley Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2002.

The judging panel found the 2004 Stella Bella Shiraz was the Best Shiraz after two days of tasting 601 entries across 27 classes.

Hamelin Bay picked up the Optimus Alias (Best Other) Award for its Chardonnay/ Semillon blend, Hamelin Bay 2005 Rampant White.

The Commonwealth Bank 2005 Margaret River Wine Show provided an opportunity for local grape growers and winemakers to receive appraisal and feedback from some of the nation's best judges, while promoting the wines distinct to the Margaret River wine region.

The Show unites the wine community of Margaret River with a common goal, that being the pursuit of wine excellence.

The Margaret River Wine Industry Association is a not-for-profit organisation that promotes the Margaret River wine region and represents its members in all wine industry matters.