Four Winds’ Four Wins!
07 Nov 2024 / Wine
Pictured: Sarah & John Collingwood with their trophy wins
On Friday, 1 November, Melbourne Royal announced the winners of the 2024 Melbourne Royal Wine Awards at a special Trophy Luncheon, held at Melbourne Showgrounds’ premier venue, Victoria Pavilion.
Of the 33 Trophy winners, one trophy certainly stands out amongst the rest – the Jimmy Watson Memorial Trophy for Best Young Red. This year, the prestigious award was presented to Four Winds Vineyard for their 2023 Shiraz.
The Winery, located in New South Wales’ Canberra District, was the first in its region to win the Trophy.
"We're absolutely stoked,” says Sarah Collingwood, Four Winds Vineyard Co-Owner and CEO.
“For a small business like ours, these trophies mean a big deal to us."
Established in 1998, the winery started as one couple’s dream to grow and sell grapes and has since turned into an inter-generational family business.
The winning wine, 2023 Shiraz, is described as a cool-climate Shiraz, with rich with dark cherry, blackberry, aniseed, and a hint of pepper. On the palate, it’s medium-bodied, offering layers of spice, fleshy dark fruit, and a savoury texture. Fine tannins from whole-bunch fermentation, combined with subtle oak influence, lend backbone and complexity.
As well as the Jimmy Watson Memorial Trophy, this wine also took home Best NSW/ACT Shiraz, the Trevor Mast Trophy for Best Shiraz and the Douglas Seabrook Trophy for Best Single Vineyard Wine presented by the Seabrook Family.
Sarah & John Collingwood accepting the Jimmy Watson Memorial Trophy for Best Young Red from Allan Watson, son of Jimmy Watson.
John Collingwood, Four Winds Vineyard Co-Owner and Vineyard Manager was awarded the Kym Ludvigsen Trophy for Viticultural Excellence.
"It's been tough for a few years, due to the climate we've been through - few lost vintages, so really, really satisfying to have some sunshine coming through” says John Collingwood, Co-Owner and Vineyard Manager.
Established in 1883, the Melbourne Royal Wine Awards is one of Australia’s oldest and most respected wine shows recognising and rewarding excellence in Australian winemaking. It brings together the very best in Australian wine and is renowned as a benchmark of excellence in wine production.
To learn more about this year’s winners, visit melbourneroyal.com.au/melbourne-royal-wine-awards/results/