Success in Sydney for Rockburn Wines

Press Release from Rockburn Wines – Monday 12th November 2012

Success in Sydney for Rockburn Wines

At an intimate dinner held at Sydney’s world-famous restaurant Aria on Friday night for the Wine Society’s Young Winemaker of the Year awards, Rockburn Winemaker Malcolm Rees-Francis received the Trophy for Finalists’ Choice. This prize was granted by votes from the competing 10 finalists having tasted two wines from each winemaker earlier that day.

The Australian Wine Society’s Young Winemaker of the Year competition is singular in its awards to talented individuals, rather than individual wines. This Trophy builds on earlier success at the Young Winemaker Awards for Malcolm; in 2008 he received the Sommeliers’ Choice Trophy, then decided by 10 of Australia’s top Sommeliers, who judged his Rockburn Pinot Noir 2007 and Rockburn Pinot Gris 2007 their favourites of the finalists’ submissions. At the time he was 29; the cut-off age for the competition was 30. The age restriction has since been raised to 35, so this year again represented a “last chance” for Malcolm to compete in this unique contest.

As the only Kiwi to have collected anything at the competition to date, his submissions were the best he could muster; the 2010 Rockburn “The Art” Pinot Noir and 2011 Tigermoth Riesling, a pair of show-stopping wines to try and bring another trophy back from over the Ditch. These two wines certainly got the attention of his fellow finalists, while the Supporters’ Choice Award, voted for by the sponsors and trade media, was awarded to Steve Baraglia of Naked Run Wines. The big trophy for Young Winemaker of the Year finally went to a Kiwi, Nick Picone of Villa Maria Estate.

Malcolm commented “This Trophy is a complete surprise; to be counted amongst a crowd of such talented winemakers was privilege enough, but for them to then elect my wines is a real honour.”

And Sydney kept on delivering for Rockburn Wines last week, with the Sydney International Wine Competition bestowing a Blue-Gold, Top 100 medal to their 2010 Rockburn Pinot Noir. Awards so far for this wine include; NZ International Wine Show - Gold, Winestate - 5 stars, IWSC – Gold & Best in class, Air NZ – Pure Gold, Decanter Magazine – 5 stars, Bragato Wine Show – Gold & Champion Reserve Wine.

http://www.youngwinemaker.com.au/

ENDS

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