LANGHORNE CREEK - On Friday, April 30 Langhorne Creek's Winemaker's celebrated the end of the 2010 vintage.
It was party time at Langhorne Creek, as a crowd of nearly 300 winemakers, grape growers, media, politicians and industry partners marked the end of vintage 2010 and unveiled the winners of the 2010 Langhorne Creek Winemakers Showcase at the 10th anniversary of the Langhorne Creek Winemakers Luncheon.
Family-owned boutique winery Lake Breeze came home the big winners, winning five of the seven awards.
The Langhorne Creek Winemakers Showcase awards the top wines coming from the Langhorne Creek wine region as judged by an independent panel of judges.
This year's judging panel was led by Mike Farmilo from Boars Rock Winery, with wine writer Nick Ryan, wine expert Jeremy Stockman as judges and Peter Pollard from Project Wine as the Associate Judge.
Awards were presented in seven categories reflecting the wines of Langhorne Creek:
Lake Breeze took out five of the seven awards including the top award, the Collotype Labels Champion Trophy, with their 2006 Arthur's Reserve, a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot
and Malbec.
This wine was also awarded Best Red Blend of the Showcase.
Additionally Lake Breeze was awarded Best Cabernet Sauvignon for their 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon and Best Pre-Release for their 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon.
Last but not least Lake Breeze was also awarded Best Alternative or Other Wine for their 2009 Old Vine Grenache.
Lake Breeze is one of Australia's most awarded boutique wineries and features the winemaking skills of Greg Follett.
"It is a huge honour to be recognised by the judges, but we are very proud of the wine we produce at Lake Breeze," Greg said.
"It is a little embarrassing winning so many awards and it is such a big day for our industry and region," he added.
The Follett family has been grape growers in Langhorne Creek for 120 years and winemakers for 20 years rapidly building an enviable reputation for consistently producing outstanding wines.
Orlando Wines carried home the award for Best Shiraz with their 2006 George Wyndham Estate Langhorne Creek Shiraz, their first Langhorne Creek labeled wine.
Winner of the Best Sparkling, White or Ros? trophy was Dorrien Estate for their 2009 Bushy Road Viognier.
A charity wine auction was also held during the day, with eight special format wines auctioned off to the attendees which raised over $6000.
Part proceeds from the auction will be donated to the Langhorne Creek Meals on Wheels.
The winning wines from the Winemakers Showcase and all of the other entered wines will be available for tasting at the 2010 Langhorne Creek Winemakers Showcase Tasting to be held on May 16 from 11am at the Langhorne Creek Memorial Hall.
Entry is $15, which includes a complimentary wine glass.
For more information contact Bek Schapel, Marketing and Events Officer on (08) 8537 3362, or email events@langhornewine.com.au.