When the call came through to let me know Smallwater Estate had won the top award at the 30th anniversary of the Great Australian Shiraz Challenge, I was in the tractor. It didn’t truly sink in until I finished my work and had time to digest the conversation.

I’ve only entered my Shiraz a few times over the years in this prestigious competition, but I had a feeling we might be in the running, especially after our 2022 Shiraz received several trophies at national shows last year.

Geographe is starting to gain recognition as a region that consistently produces exceptional Shiraz along with many other varieties. Winning this award feels like letting the best-kept secret out of the bag. Our wineries stretch from the coastal plain to the escarpment, with higher altitudes that really showcase the diversity of our region.

I’m incredibly fortunate to work with two amazing winemakers, Bruce Dukes and Remi Guise. Their expertise and artistry consistently bring out the best in our fruit, and they provide invaluable advice on oak selection to achieve the style I envision.

This award is not just a personal achievement; it’s for everyone involved in producing Smallwater Estate wines. It’s a tough climate out there for all wineries, and receiving accolades from a major show like the Great Australian Shiraz Challenge renews my enthusiasm. I hope it also boosts our sales, bringing greater exposure to Smallwater Estate.

Thank you for celebrating this journey with me!

Cheers, John Small and Team Smallwater Estate

“As a Winemaker it is a surreal moment when you get that call from a wine show to let you know that your wine has got the top accolade at any show and to achieve this at one show in back to back years really puts a stamp of approval on the wines you produce and just shows consistency in your ability but also consistency in the judging panel of that show.

To be the under dogs in Shiraz/Syrah production in Australia down in Tasmania is pretty tough but getting the recognition from the Great Australian Shiraz Challenge in back-to-back years should really show the country that we are progressing and looking to push the Syrah boundaries down in the apple isle.

We will continue to support the good work of the Great Australian Shiraz Challenge and looking forward to seeing what the next 30 years hold for the Syrah industry in Australia.”

Jasper Marais
Winemaker: Riversdale Estate

“What an honour! The trophy was awarded to our 2019 Partner Series Clare Shiraz, an elegant, bright and well-structured shiraz showing deep core of cherry, blackberry, and dark chocolate notes.”

This was the first release of the Partner Series Wines which comprise the “Matt Lawson” Shiraz, “Sean Edwards” Cabernet Sauvignon and “Rob Stanway” Riesling, dedicated to the three partners in the business.

Learning of the result, especially as it was our first release under the Partner Series, was great cause for celebration. Announced the week before Christmas, we received excellent media coverage and the uptake on our trophy and award was phenomenal, nothing like we have seen before. We knew the wines were good internally but to receive an award for the Shiraz like that was a fantastic acknowledgement from our peers that the wine was great.

The Kirrihill brand has been around for over 20 years and has received many awards, but this is one of the top awards for the brand. The following that our Partner Series Shiraz consequently gained is a superb result, not only for the owners of the business, but also the team, who are crucial to the success of our whole business. We look forward to continuing with the wine’s success as the 2020 follow up vintage is, in our view, even better.

Cheers! The Kirrihill Team

“For Z WINE to WIN The Great Australian Shiraz Challenge 2020 was the MOST AMAZING news! I had just hopped out of the car to pick up the kids from school when I got the phone call and I could not wait to get home and tell my sister and business partner, Kristen Zerk. It was a LONG four minutes’ drive home!!

The Trophy was awarded to the 2018 [JULIUS] Barossa Valley Shiraz and it didn’t only win the best in South Australia, but the best in Australia!! The 2018 was the 12th year of production of the JULIUS and the wine had always had a fantastic track record with wine writers and in wine-shows. It stands out for its varietal expression of raspberry and chocolate, which is delivered with elegance, yet with intense savoury depth and length of flavour.

Winning this award was truly NEXT level for so many reasons. Notably, the news came post-covid in November 2020, so it was really uplifting for everyone involved. It has helped open doors to new markets and has also helped us attract serious wine buyers and drinkers.  All of our existing customers were so proud and supportive of us winning these trophies. It was fantastic to celebrate over a glass in our Cellar Door and Wine Bar together.

This award endorsed our Shiraz as one of the best, which goes down in history. It is great to see our wines become even more highly recognised and sought after and we are so glad that we entered it into this professional and reputable Shiraz Challenge.”

“For Bendbrook to win The Great Australian Shiraz Challenge was total justification for planting our Shiraz when we did. A small block of tasty soil by the River Angas near the Adelaide Hills town of Macclesfield. The Trophy has highlighted to many the elegance & style of cool climate reds from SA. Having to adjust and cope with the sales demand is a minor downside of winning such a prestigious award but which we would gladly do again. As a small boutique single vineyard winery maxed out at 2500 cases a year, sales for us cannot increase significantly as we only use our own grapes, but our old customers are delighted that their spot in the queue has been consolidated and rewarded for being patent and loyalty, knowing they were on a good thing. To the winner of 2020 we wish you the same exhilaration we have felt since being awarded G.S.C (Great Silver Charger)”