Words By Tom O'Callaghan Bendigo Advertiser 20.06.2018
A boutique winemaker has taken out the people’s choice category in a competition uncovering the best young winemakers and new labels.
Sutton Grange Winery’s Mel Chester took out the Young Gun of Wine award on Tuesday in Tasmania.
“We are stoked. The award is presented to the person who sells the most wine at tasting events in Sydney and Melbourne, so rather than being asked to vote with a pencil and paper, they are being asked as consumers to vote with their wallets,” she said.
Ms Chester said the win was made more exciting because the winery’s philosophy was to make products people could enjoy and share together.
The winery took two products to the event, though it was the Shiraz that best captured the public’s attention.
“People love a good Shiraz from central Victoria,” Ms Chester said.
“We have a really lovely farm for Shiraz, with old granite soils and great weather.”
The national competition has been going for 12 years and its founder, Rory Kent, said winemakers were breaking ground with new varieties and techniques, “all in the search of more delicious wines made from our climate and for our palates”.
