Harcourt Valley Vineyards has been crowned Bendigo Region Winery of the Year and awarded double gold for its 2018 Barbara’s Shiraz in the Melbourne International Wine Competition.
The winery was a standout among more than 1400 entries from around the world and theirs was one of only three shiraz wines to take double-gold.
“It’s thrilling to be named Bendigo Winery of the Year! There are so many great producers in this region and to be awarded this is a reflection of the dedication, hard work and the quality of our wines,” co-owner Kye Livingstone said.
“It’s great to showcase that wines from this region are capable of being judged as some of the best wines in the country. It gives locals confidence that products in their own backyards are of the best quality.”
Co-owner Quinn Livingstone has been at the helm of wine production since taking over from their late father in 2004 and has led the winery to win almost 50 trophies.
The 2018 Barbara’s Shiraz is the winery most awarded wine in the vineyards history, earning hundreds of medals over the years and more than 20 of those being the coveted gold.
“This wine has been very popular, we are down to less the 40 cartons,” Kye said.
“People have been trying it and ordering cartons long before we won double gold.”
The brothers say 2018 was a warm growing season, with smaller yields and bunches which created more intense flavours.
Not to be forgotten though, is the winery’s double gold win for its 2016 Heathcote Shiraz in the 2017 Melbourne International Wine Competition which has its own story.
“We had made it for export, however, the order was cancelled. Of course, once the wine won double gold, the company wanted the wine,” Kye said.
“We decided we would keep the wine instead for the domestic market. We have some of this wine available and it is drinking beautifully now!
“To win two gold medals would be an achievement in itself, but to win two double gold medals in three years is something very few small wineries have achieved.”
Vine are now being picked and Kye said yield was up 50 per cent with quality looking good.
