2023 Melbourne Royal Wine Awards Trophy Winners
Best Riesling
Presented by MCC Labels
Brothers at War - Nothing In Common Riesling, 2023
Commencing in 2013 from humble beginnings, Brothers at War in Eden Valley was started by brothers Angus and Sam Wardlaw who a shared passion to create world class wines from small parcels of exceptional fruit. This is the first time Brothers at War has been awarded a trophy at the Awards.
Best Semillon
Presented by Crafted ERP
Tyrrell’s Vineyards - Belford Semillon, 2017
Having lived and breathed wine growing and winemaking in the Hunter Valley for more than 160 years, Tyrrell’s Vineyards have amassed an unrivalled knowledge of what makes the Hunter one of Australia’s, and indeed the world’s, greatest winegrowing regions.
They have been a long-time supporter of these Awards and have dominated this category, having won this trophy nine times in the past ten years.
Best Sauvignon Blanc
Xanadu Wines - Xanadu Vinework Sauvignon Blanc, 2023
Located in Margaret River and established in 1977, Xanadu has a long history of crafting outstanding wines that embody all the region has to offer.
A long-time supporter of the Awards and the 2019 winner of the Jimmy Watson Memorial Trophy for their Cabernet Sauvignon, this is their first win in this category.
Best Pinot Gris/Grigio
Howard Vineyard - Howard Vineyard Pinot Gris, 2023
Established in 1999, Howard Vineyard is a second-generation family-owned business. Over the past 25 years they have built a reputation for premium grape growing in the Adelaide Hills; one of Australia’s most exciting regions.
This is the first time Howard Vineyard has been awarded a trophy at the Awards.
Best Single Varietal White
Presented by vintrace
Pike and Joyce - Pike and Joyce Grüner Veltliner, 2023
Established in 1998, Pike & Joyce Wines is a partnership between two families who share a love for the Adelaide Hills Wine Region and a desire to create premium wines, all the while paying homage to this stunning region.
This is the first time Pike & Joyce Wines have won this award category.
Best Victorian Chardonnay
Presented by Agriculture Victoria
Handpicked Wines - Handpicked Wines Wombat Creek Vineyard Yarra Valley Chardonnay, 2022
Handpicked Wines produce wines that proudly represent a mosaic of the most reputed grape growing regions, with the expression of the character and personality of the site front and centre of their winemaking philosophy.
A wonderful supporter of the Melbourne Royal Wine Awards, Handpicked Wines implement practices that bring out the best in each vineyard.
Best Tasmanian Chardonnay
Lost Farm Wines - Lost Farm Chardonnay, 2022
Lost Farm Wines is a cool climate winemaking project of the Angove Family. In 2018 the opportunity arose for the family to partner with a small group of exceptional grape growers in the Tamar Valley in the North of Tasmania and Lost Farm - Tasmania was born.
Lost Farm Wines have gone back-to-back after also taking out this trophy last year.
Best South Australian Chardonnay
The Lane Vineyard - Beginning Chardonnay, 2022
Located in the Adelaide Hills since 1993, The Lane Vineyard highlight quality and character being central to their philosophy, driving all the decisions from vineyard sites, fruit and oak selection, grading and blending, through to the final experience of pairing with great food.
This is The Lane Vineyard’s first time winning a trophy.
Best Western Australian Chardonnay
Evans & Tate - Redbrook Reserve Chardonnay, 2021
Evans & Tate dates back to 1971 when John Evans & John Tate first planted vines in the Swan Valley. Three years later, they purchased land and planted a vineyard in Wilyabrup, in the heart of Margaret River, which they named Redbrook.
As long-time supporters of the Melbourne Royal Wine Awards, we congratulate them on taking out their first trophy.
Best New South Wales (incl. ACT) Chardonnay
Mayfield Vineyard - Mayfield Vineyard 'Block 14 Chardonnay, 2022
Since the Eastham family purchased the Mayfield Vineyard in 2021, the commitment to producing the region’s best wines has been renewed, with a great deal of work put into the vineyard to ensure the new wines reflect the unique qualities of the historic property.
This is the first time they have entered the awards and they have taken out a trophy at their first try!
Best Chardonnay
Presented by PLUMM
Handpicked Wines - Wombat Creek Vineyard Yarra Valley Chardonnay, 2022
The Handpicked Wines winemaking and viticulture team work relentlessly throughout the season to produce fruit of exceptional quality to best express regionality and this trophy win is a testament to that hard work.
Best White Blend
Stella Bella Wines - Suckfizzle Sauvignon Blanc Semillon, 2022
Stella Bella Wines have five small distinctive vineyards located throughout southern Margaret River, an area chosen for its cool climate and ability to produce elegant, aromatic and medium bodied wines with personality and precision.
A long-time supporter of the Awards, this is the second time the Stella Bella Wines’ Suckfizzle Sauvignon Blanc Semillon has been awarded a trophy after taking out the Best Blend of Semillon and Sauvignon in 2018.
Best Sweet White Wine
De Bortoli Wines - Noble One Semillon, 2019
The Bilbul winery in the Riverina is the home of De Bortoli Wines world-renowned and award-winning dessert wine, De Bortoli Noble One Botrytis Semillon. First created in 1982 and made there ever since, it is one of the most successful and internationally award-winning wines ever produced in Australia.
De Bortoli Wines have supported the Awards for many years and have multiple trophies over that time, with their Noble One 2019 Semillon winning this category for the third year running.
Best Rose
Turkey Flat Vineyards - Turkey Flat Rosé, 2023
Turkey Flat Vineyards, located in the beautiful Barossa Valley, has been in the care of the Schulz family since the 1860s.
This is Turkey Flat Vineyards fourth trophy win at the Melbourne Royal Wine Awards since 2017 and second in this category.
Best Grenache
Presented by Crown Resorts
Gemtree Wines - Small Batch Grenache SBE, 2022
Gemtree Wines, located in South Australia’s stunning McLaren Vale, harvest high quality, flavourful grapes each and every vintage from vineyards farmed with care.
Led by husband-and-wife team in Chief Winemaker Mike Brown and Chief Viticulturalist Melissa Brown, this is Gemtree Wine’s first time winning a trophy.
Best Victorian Shiraz
Presented by Agriculture Victoria
Yarra Yering - Yarra Yering Underhill Shiraz, 2022
Yarra Yering is one of the oldest and most beautiful vineyards in Victoria’s Yarra Valley, with 28 hectares of vines located at the foot of the Warramate Hills.
This is Yarra Yering’s second trophy of the afternoon, after picking up Best Red Blend only moments ago.
Best South Australian Shiraz
Lloyd Brothers - Lloyd Brothers Adelaide Hills Syrah, 2022
Lloyd Brothers is a family-owned winery and olive grove located in the heart of McLaren Vale, producing wines and olives that are handcrafted to highlight the very best of the fruit grown on their estates.
This is the winery’s first time winning a trophy at the Awards.
Best Western Australian Shiraz
Smallwater Estate - Smallwater Estate Shiraz, 2022
Located on the eastern side of the Geographe Wine Region, Smallwater Estate was established in 1993 and has since grown to become a renowned producer of exceptional wines in Western Australia.
This is the winery’s first time winning a Trophy at the Melbourne Royal Wine Awards.
Best New South Wales (inc. ACT) Shiraz
Calabria Family Wines - McWilliams Wines Single Vineyard Shiraz, 2022
Based in Griffith New South Wales since 1945, Calabria Family Wines ensures family tradition is front and centre of everything they do and through their efforts, the winery has managed to become one of the top 20 wine producers in Australia.
Calabria Family Wines have previously won the Best Single Varietal White in 2015.
Best Cabernet Sauvignon
Presented by BevChain
Hamelin Bay Wines - Hamelin Bay Cabernet Sauvignon, 2022
Established in 1992, Hamelin Bay Wines prides itself on crafting wines of exceptional quality that reflect the unique terroir of Margaret River.
This is Hamelin Bay’s first time winning a trophy.
Best Red Blend
Presented by Brunch.
Yarra Yering - Yarra Yering Dry Red Wine No 3 Touriga Nacional,
Tinta Cao Blend, 2022
Established in 1969 in Victoria’s Yarra Valley, Yarra Yering is committed to producing elegant, complex and powerful wines.
This is Yarra Yering’s second consecutive year winning this trophy.
Best Single Varietal Red
Presented by vintrace
Coriole - Coriole Nero, 2023
Located in McLaren Vale, Coriole, founded by the Lloyd family in the 1960s, enjoys the view that while winemaking is a very traditional process, they also like to experiment and try different techniques to see the influence on wine style.
This is Coriole’s first time winning a trophy.
Best Organic or Biodynamic Wine Trophy
Gemtree Wines - Small Batch Grenache SBE, 2022
Gemtree Wines believes biodynamics is a way of farming that enhances the soil and the environment around it through natural improvers rather than chemical sprays.
This is Gemtree Wines’ first time winning this award, and the winery’s second win of the night, having already taken out Best Grenache.
Consistency of Excellence
House of Arras - House of Arras Grand Vintage
Founded in 1995, House of Arras utilizes Tasmania’s cool climate, pristine environments and ancient soils to create world-class sparkling wine.
House of Arras have previously been awarded Best Sparkling in 2022, 2018, 2017
Stella Bella Wines - Stella Bella Cabernet Sauvignon
Stella Bella Wines produces fruit that reflects the climate, soil and character of southern Margaret River that allows them to produce elegant, aromatic wines.
Stella Bella Wines were also winners of 2023 Best White Blend earlier today.
Casella Family Brands - Morris Wines Cellar Reserve Grand Topaque
This is the Casella Family Brand’s second Consistency of Excellency Award tonight, as well as their second consecutive year taking home the Consistency of Excellence Award.
Casella Family Brands - Morris Wines Cellar Reserve Grand Muscat
Founded in 1969, Casella Family Brands is Australia’s largest family-owned wine company, aiming to showcase the regional excellence of Australia’s most famed regions and widely respected winemakers.
Lowestoft Estate Wines - Lowestoft La Maison Pinot Noir
The Lowestoft vineyard is a small and densely planted 3-hectare vineyard with some of the oldest Pinot Noir plantings in Tasmania.
Xanadu Wines, - Xanadu Cabernet Sauvignon
Xanadu Wines is a true reflection of its idyllic setting in the Margaret River and poetic namesake.
This is Xanadu Wines’ second consecutive year winning the Consistency of Excellency Award and second award today after taking out the Best Sauvignon Blanc.
Lost Farm Wines - Lost Farm Chardonnay
A cool climate winemaking project of the Angove Family, Lost Farm Wines’ is dedicated to unveiling the potential of their exceptional Tasmanian vineyards.
Lost Farm Wines was also the winner of 2023 Best Tasmanian Chardonnay.
Tyrrell's Vineyards - Belford Semillon
Located in the foothills of the Brokenback Range in the Hunter Valley, Tyrrell’s Vineyards’ wines embody the characteristics of the unique land it sits on, with their Belford Vineyard established in 1933.
This is Tyrrell’s Vineyards’ second consecutive year winning the Consistency of Excellency Award.
The Dr Tony Jordan Trophy for Best Sparkling
Freycinet Vineyard - Radenti Vintage Cuvee, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, 2016
Located on the east coast of Tasmania since 1979, Freycinet Vineyard is a family-owned business with a small and dedicated team who produce exceptional wines. This is the first time Freycinet Vineyard has been awarded a trophy at the Awards.
The Douglas Seabrook Trophy for the Best Single Vinyard Wine
Presented by the Seabrook Family
Calabria Family Wines - McWilliams Wines Single Vineyard Shiraz, 2022
This is Calabria Family Wines first time winning this Trophy, and the winery’s fourth win of the night, having already been awarded Best NSW Shiraz, the Trevor Mast Trophy for Best Shiraz and the Bill Chambers Trophy for Best Fortified Wine.
Long-time supporters of the Melbourne Royal Wine Awards, Calabria Family Wines have entered every year since 2014.
The Kym Ludvigsen Trophy for Viticultural Excellence
McWilliams Wines Single Vineyard
This is the Russell Kerrison’s first time winning the Kym Ludvigsen Trophy for Viticultural Excellence.
Quarry Hill is a boutique, family owned and run vineyard situated just outside Canberra and is part of the Canberra cool-climate district.
The Bill Chambers Trophy for Best Fortified Wine
Calabria Family Wines - McWilliams Wines, Hanwood Estate Rare Tawny, NV Shiraz
This is the Calabria Family Wines first time winning this Trophy and in the last 10 years, just the second exhibitor to have won it.
This is also the winery’s third win of the night, having already been awarded Best NSW Shiraz and the Trevor Mast Trophy for Best Shiraz.
The James Halliday Trophy for Best Pinot Noir
Lowestoft Estate Wines - Lowestoft La Maison Pinot Noir, 2022
With a focus on producing luxury and icon Burgundy-style wines, Lowestoft Estate Wines represents the absolute pinnacle of Tasmanian winemaking.
Remarkably, this is Lowestoft Estate Wine’s third year in a row winning this Trophy.
The Trevor Mast Trophy for Best Shiraz
Calabria Family Wines - McWilliams Wines Single Vineyard Shiraz, 2022
Having won the Best New South Wales Shiraz, Calabria Family Wines and their McWilliams Wines Single Vineyard Shiraz takes out the Trevor Mast Trophy for Best Shiraz, their first win of this major trophy.
The Champion Victorian Winery Trophy
Presented by Drink Victorian
Yarra Yering
Planted in 1969, the unirrigated vines at Yarra Yering’s Yarra Valley vineyard produce elegant, complex and powerful wine, with. Yarra Yering now one of Australia’s most iconic wineries with an outstanding international reputation.
This is Yarra Yering’s third trophy of the night, after picking up Best Red Blend and Best Victorian Shiraz.
The Francois De Castella Trophy for Best Young White
Handpicked Wines - Wombat Creek Vineyard Yarra Valley Chardonnay, 2022
Handpicked Wines’ Wombat Creek Vineyard is the most elevated vineyard in the Yarra Valley, making it uniquely situated for production of premium cool climate wines.
This is the winery’s first time winning this Trophy, and the third time this wine has been awarded a trophy tonight.
The Jimmy Watson Memorial Trophy
Lowestoft Estate Wines - La Maison Pinot Noir, 2022
This is just the third Pinot Noir ever to have won the Jimmy Watson, following Home Hill Winery in 2015 and Yabby Lake Winery in 2013.
The Lowestoft La Maison Pinot Noir 2020 took out the James Halliday Trophy for Best Pinot Noir in 2021, but this year they have taken out the coveted Jimmy Watson Memorial Trophy with their 2022 vintage.
