MCLAREN VALE- Paul Carpenter of Hardy’s Wine in McLaren Vale was crowned the 2009 Bushing King at the Winegrapes Australia McLaren Vale Wine Show Luncheon on October 30.His Queen is Alix Hardy also of Hardy’s wines. Hardy’s Wines won the prestigious regional award for their 2004 Eileen Hardy Shiraz. A tradition that has been carried out in the region since the 1970s, the Bushing King or Queen is selected from winemakers receiving trophies in the McLaren Vale Wine Show. The Bushing King or Queen award goes to the best wine of the show. Paul undertook the ritual ‘coronation’ and was officially crowned by event sponsor Dave Wright, Chairman of Winegrapes Australia.

The Bushing King/Queen tradition was taken from medieval times when Tavern owners would place ivy bushes above their tavern doors to celebrate the arrival of the new vintage wine, or fresh mead. In the early 1970’s, McLaren Vale’s winemakers incorporated this symbol to 'ring in' the new vintage by hanging olive branches over their cellar doors. Pic by Michael Oakes