Entries are open for the 2022 Limestone Coast Wine Show being held from October 17-21. The event is open to any producer who sources fruit from the Limestone Coast Zone, with online nominations open until Friday 19th August 2022. Organisers are anticipating a strong response from exhibitors on the back of a high-quality vintage and revamped trophy system, with a new Cabernet award up for grabs. The wine show committee’s Ulrich Grey-Smith says the event’s most popular class has been split into two categories according to vintage – the HR (Ron) Haselgrove Trophy for Best Cabernet Sauvignon up to 3 Years Old sponsored by the Wrattonbully Wine Region, and the Seguin Moreau-sponsored Trophy for Best Cabernet 4-6 Years Old.
“The Limestone Coast produces Australia’s best Cabernet and the growing number of exceptional entries in this category reinforces the quality; Limestone Coast producers are really proud of what they are bottling and are willing to put it forward for judging scrutiny, so we want to make sure that they’re given the best possible platform to shine,” he says.
While entries of Shiraz and red blends have remained steady over recent years, growth in the ‘Other Reds’ category has prompted organisers to split the Peter Wehl Trophy for Best Other Single Variety, categorising entries according to French or Iberian origin to not only capture style differences but reflect the rise of alternative varieties being grown locally. In further changes for 2022, the Museum trophy will award both a white and a red wine winner, while the Provenance class, which celebrates wines with consistency and strong cellaring potential, will have a single trophy rather than separate awards.
Ulrich Grey-Smith says the changes in the trophy line-up reflect the evolving nature of the wine industry as producers respond to both local and global consumer trends and continue to innovate. “The Limestone Coast has a long and proud history of winemaking, but it’s our progressive approach to all aspects of the craft from viticulture to marketing that ensures our continued success, and this is something that the wine show is really keen to celebrate.”
While the 2021 show was judged by an all-South Australian line-up, this year’s event will also welcome judges from Western Australia, Victoria and Tasmania. The 2022 show will also see the return of the International Judges Trophy following a Covid pause, with the New Zealand editor of Gourmet Traveller Wine, Jane Skilton MW, accepting an invitation to take part. Jane last attended the event in 2016, declaring the 2014 Majella Shiraz her stand-out. Tasmania’s Stargazer Wines chief, Samantha Connew, the 2007 International Red Winemaker of the Year, will return for her third year as Chief of Judges, with judging set to take place at Penola’s Rymill Hall from Monday October 17. The winners will be announced at a trophy dinner hosted by the Mount Benson / Robe Wine Regions on Thursday October 20.
The Wine Show’s new-look entry and records system can be accessed at https://limestonecoastwine.com.au/wine-show/
For further information or interviews, please contact Ulrich Grey-Smith on 0429 499 355.