For the third year running, wines from the Adelaide Hills have won ‘Best Wine in Show’ at the International Cool Climate Wine Show (ICCWS), held in Melbourne.
Sidewood Estate 2023 Mappinga Chardonnay was named ‘Best Wine in Show’ in the 2024 ICCWS, following Wicks Estate 2022 Pinot Noir in 2023, and Sidewood’s Chloe Cuvee 2015 Chardonnay Pinot Noir in 2022.
In the years prior, wines from Victoria had invariably won.
“The Adelaide Hills is really starting to fulfil its destiny as a world-class cool-climate region. Pioneers of the region saw the potential when the first planted vines here, but it has taken time to realise that vision,” said president of Adelaide Hills Wine Region, Alex Trescowthick.
Trescowthick said the quality of viticulture in the Adelaide Hills has evolved significantly.
“The quality of viticulture in the Adelaide Hills has evolved significantly and is now well-aligned with its cooler climate. This flows into higher quality wines, of course, but the winemaking has also evolved to better suit the sought-after style. The consistent success we are now seeing at wine shows, and on wine-lists and in stores, are the fruits of our collective labour over the past twenty five years,” said Trescowthick.
“I am delighted to congratulate our Adelaide Hills Wine Region members, Sidewood Estate and Vinteloper, for their outstanding results at the 2024 International Cool Climate Wine Show.”
Sidewood Estate 2023 Mappinga Chardonnay won a total of three trophies at this year’s ICCWS show, including ‘Best Wine in Show’ mentioned above, as well as ‘Best White Wine in Show’ and ‘Best Australian Wine.’
“Collecting three trophies in this show is a rarity, which is a tribute to Sidewood’s wine-making skills,” said chair of ICCWS, Paul White.
“This award is a true reflection of our dedication to excellence and quality. It’s a testament to our winemakers and the collaborative efforts of the entire team,” said Owen Inglis, owner of Sidewood Estate.
For red wine, Vinteloper 2023 Pinot Noir from the Adelaide Hills won ‘Best Red Wine in Show’.
Vinteloper also won three of the eleven ‘Top Gold’ medals awarded at the show, for their 2024 Pinot Gris, 2023 Pinot Noir and 2022 Chardonnay.
Sarah Marrocco, winemaker at Vinteloper, saw the award as the culmination of years of work.
“The 2023 vintage represented Vinteloper’s 16th year of producing Pinot Noir. Whilst we will always be learning, in this time we have come to understand some of the nuances of this delicate grape. Our 2023 Pinot Noir is a delightful example of the elegance and finesse that can be seen in Pinot Noir from the Adelaide Hills. Marrocco also echoed Trescowthick’s assertion that the results reflect the collective work of the entire Adelaide Hills wine region,” said Marrocco.
“In our region, the culture is one of collaboration, not competition. Grape growers and winemakers share insights, resources, ideas, and learning. This ensures that we are all – collectively – developing better practices and consequently results in an overall improvement in wine quality. It is said “A rising tide lifts all boats,” and in this context, each of our efforts raises the excellence of all wines produced in the Adelaide Hills.”