The results of the most prestigious wine show for small winemakers in Australia and New Zealand, The Australian Small Winemakers Show, reaffirms Stanthorpe’s pedigree as Queensland’s premier wine and wine grape producing region.Last night’s presentation dinner, held at the Queensland College of Wine Tourism in Stanthorpe, raised the benchmark for boutique wineries across the South Pacific. Granite Belt wineries and viticulturalists performed solidly, with the most memorable award going to Stanthorpe’s Lucas Estate.
When the gold medal and Trophy for Queensland’s Best Shiraz was announced, Lucas Estate winemaker Louise Samuel was stunned. Five minutes later, when the award for Technical Excellence in Queensland Winemaking was given to Lucas Estate for their TOTAL performance at the show with the winning of an addition Gold Medal for the Petit Verdot 2008, Louise was in total shock.
Sadly since 2006 the estate’s owners, Louise Samuel and Colin Sellers struggled through some tough times culminating in the loss of Colin to cancer in June 2008. Louise has since carried on the business, including all the wine making with what has now proven to be spectacular results and a fitting tribute to her late husband Colin.
The Australian Small Winemakers Show is held annually in Stanthorpe and this year attracted a record 1812 entries. Other Granite Belt trophy recipients were Golden Grove Estate and Robert Channon Wines.
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