Top drops feature in Geographe show
Talisman Wines’ 2014 Zinfandel beat a record 187 entries to be labelled the Liquor Barons Geographe Wine of Show at the Bunbury Entertainment Centre on Friday night.
The Geographe and Alternative Varieties Wine Show gala was attended by 180 guests who were given the opportunity to sample the potential winners while celebrating the region’s accomplishments.
An expert team of judges was led by lifestyle and leisure columnist Tim White and examined the contenders over three days leading up to the event.
Talisman Wines was also awarded the Best Geographe Red Wine Trophy for their Zinfandel, the Best Geographe Rose for the 2017 Arida and their winemaker Peter Stanlake was presented with the Vukelic Group Nicholas Baudin Trophy for Excellence in Winemaking.
Other major award winners included Dream Bird Wines, who received the Best Geographe White Wine Trophy for their 2017 Giggling Gerty Riesling, Hay Shed Hill was named the Best WA Alternative Varietal Wine Trophy for their 2016 White Label Nebbiolo and Willow Bridge Estate was presented the Most Successful Geographe Exhibitor Trophy.
Talisman owner Kim Robinson said the wins topped off a “really good year” for the winery, in which they also received a five star rating from James Halliday and The West Australian’s wine editor Ray Jordan voted it WA’s Best Small Producer of the Year.
The winery also picked up the trophy for the Best Sauvignon Blanc for their 2016 Barrique Sauvignon Blanc Fume at the prestigious Perth Royal Wine Show.
The Ferguson Valley winery, which is surrounded by national park, is cared for by vineyard manager Victor Bertola, who winemaker Peter Stanlake credits for much of Zinfandel’s success.
“What gave it that edge was a whole lot of vineyard management,” Mr Stanlake said.
“Zinfandel is a grape variety that is prone to do all the things which can make a grape variety horrible, rotten and disease ridden, but the management is incredible.
“Zinfandel is incredibly difficult to grow and to grow well and Victor Bertola does an amazing job – we have no trophy without someone growing the grapes that well.
“They were manicured like the Queen’s hedges.”
THE FULL LIST OF WINNERS
Liquor Barons Geographe Wine of Show
Talisman Wines
2014 Zinfandel
Machinery West Best Geographe Red Wine Trophy
Talisman Wines
2014 Zinfandel
AHA Viticulture Best Geographe White Wine Trophy
Dream Bird Wines
2017 Giggling Gerty Riesling
Quest Bunbury Best WA Alternative Varietal Wine Trophy
Hay Shed Hill
2016 White Label Nebbiolo
Vukelic Group Nicholas Baudin Trophy for Excellence in Winemaking
Peter Stanlake
Cospak & Capel Storage Most Successful Geographe Exhibitor Trophy
Willow Bridge Estate
Geographe Viticultural Consultants Best Geographe Shiraz
Willow Bridge Estate
2015 Gravel Pit Shiraz
Landmark Best Geographe Cabernet Sauvignon
Mandalay Road
2014 Persimmon Paddock Cabernet Sauvignon
Doral Mineral Sands Best Geographe Red Varietal
Angelicus Wines
2016 Garnacha
Patersons Best Geographe Red Blend
Iron Cloud Wines
2014 Alliance Cabernet Malbec
RWK Accountancy Best Geographe Chardonnay
Fifth Estate Wines
2016 Chardonnay
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