MEDIA RELEASE
18th AUGUST 2016
The Limestone Coast Wine Show trophy dinner will be a coastal extravaganza showcasing the region’s prestige food and wine. Tickets are now selling online at limestonecoastwine.com.au for the October 27 feast being held on the Robe foreshore overlooking Guichen Bay – and they’re expected to sell fast! The theme for the 16th annual event is VINE | STONE | COAST – a rhyming nod to the Limestone Coast, which is home to the seven different wine regions involved in the judging process.
“Our theme is representative of the vines, but also the unique terroir in our pocket of the world, with the maritime influence shaping both our wine styles and our menu for the evening,” explains Peta Baverstock from the show’s dinner sub-committee.
An exciting selection of past trophy and medal winners – including a stunning 12-year-old Black Wattle Cabernet featuring fruit from Robe and Mount Benson – will be uncorked during dinner for the ultimate food-wine pairing. “The seafood-themed menu has been developed by award-winning Sails chef Adam Brooks, and we’re also aiming for lots of visual impact; an earthy yet contemporary feel, with a clear-sided marquee overlooking the ocean complete with vine chandeliers, locally carved limestone bowls, and festoon lighting,” Peta says.
Arthur Hoffman trophy winner, Pete Balnaves, who was the viticulturist behind last year’s ‘Best Wine of Show’ (Pepper Tree Wines’ 2013 Pepper Tree ‘Block 21A’ Single Vineyard Wrattonbully Cabernet Sauvignon) will discuss his pending trip to Bordeaux at the dinner. Pete will attend the Vinitech-Sifel trade expo in late November as part of his 2015 Wine Show prize, and says he is looking forward to investigating the latest vineyard machinery and technology from around the world.
“I principally want to look at where technology is taking us in terms of robotics and in-field vineyard sensing so that we can get non-destructive maturity data much more efficiently,” he explains. “We have done a lot of research with our existing fruit blocks trying to establish the particular combinations of soil, water, pruning and cloning that are working well, and investigating how we can bring any secondary blocks up to that standard so as to increase quality across the board, so it will be great to see what’s out there to further enhance this progress.”
Producers of Limestone Coast wines have an additional week to get their online entries submitted for this year’s show, with the deadline extended to 26th August, 2016. Wine Show Committee member, Sarah Pidgeon, says recent quality vintages and the introduction of a Wine of Provenance Trophy has sparked strong interest in the five-day event which gets underway on 24th October.
“We’ve had many queries about the new trophy, which provides a platform for exhibitors to enter three vintages of the same wine and have them formally judged for consistency, excellence of style, and pedigree,” she says. “We also want to encourage people to consider entering the Small Batch Class, which is the only award open to an unfinished wine; it is open to a lot of experimentation – and it may just unearth the region’s next big thing.”
IMPORTANT DATES: Entries close Fri 26th August (deadline extended)
Judging 24-27th October at the Coonawarra Hall
Trophy dinner 27th October on Robe Foreshore
Exhibitors & Public Tasting Friday 28th October at Coonawarra Hall 9am-1pm
Further info: Sarah Pidgeon, LCWS Committee, on Mob. 0412 825 149