TRENTHAM Estate’s sangiovese rose has taken top honours at the Australian Alternative Varieties Wine Show (AAVWS).
The wine, carrying The Family label, was awarded the trophy for Best Murray Darling Region Wine at the show, held in Mildura this month.
Trentham Estate chief winemaker and managing director Anthony Murphy said he was “thrilled” with the news.
“We knew it was good but then when it won the trophy that confirmed it,” he said.
It’s not the first time Trentham Estate has taken home the top gong at the AAVWS – the rose has won twice before and the winery’s vermentino, taminga and nero d’avola wines have all earned the title in previous years.
“It’s been a couple of years since we won it and to get it back is just fantastic,” Mr Murphy said.
Trentham Estate’s frizzante maestri and vermentino also took home silver medals at this year’s show.
Mr Murphy credited last summer’s growing conditions with much of his winery’s success.
“Last year it was very hot and dry up until Christmas, and after Christmas it really changed – it settled down, it wasn’t too hot and we got a fantastic vintage,” he said.
“The whites and the rose have come up really well because of that cooler vintage period.”
Mr Murphy said unusual wines were experiencing a surge in popularity.
“There’s a real interest in alternative varieties,” he said.
“Craft beer is going through this trend at the moment and the wine industry is doing the same thing.
“The new drinkers are looking for something different from mum-and-dad drinkers.”
