McLaren Vale Vignerons Honoured at the 2024 Melbourne Royal Wine Awards

The 2024 Melbourne Royal Wine Awards have once again highlighted the exceptional quality and innovation of McLaren Vale's winemaking community.

The Melbourne Royal Wine Awards have proudly celebrated excellence in Australian winemaking for over 140 years. This year, several McLaren Vale wineries stood out among more than 2,320 entries from 450 wineries across Australia, receiving prestigious accolades that underscore our region’s commitment to excellence and its unique coastal terroir.

BEST GRENACHE

Willunga 100 was honoured with the Best Grenache trophy for their 2023 Smart Vineyard, Clarendon Grenache. This award celebrates the winery's dedication to showcasing the distinct character of McLaren Vale's Grenache varietals.

“We were delighted to have been awarded the Best Grenache Trophy at the Melbourne Royal Wine Awards for our 2023 Smart Vineyard Clarendon, and were also honoured to be in the top 6 wines for the esteemed Jimmy Watson Trophy.
Having won the Best Grenache Trophy at the National Wine Show last year for the 2021 vintage of the same wine, this one had extra special meaning as 2023 was the last vintage overseen by our dear grower Bernie Smart. We hope that he was looking on somewhere with a glass of red in hand grinning from ear to ear. Our appreciation goes out to Bernie and Wayne Smart for tending these incredible 102 year old vines, our Winemaker Renae Hirsch and her talent for creating exceptional wines with a true sense of place, and David Gleave MW and John Ratcliffe for realising the potential of McLaren Vale Grenache all the way back in 2004 when they started Willunga 100.” Said Penny Lamb, Director of Sales and Marketing – Willunga 100.

BEST ORGANIC OR BIODYNAMIC WINE

Battle of Bosworth Wines received the Best Organic or Biodynamic Wine Trophy for their 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon. This recognition reflects their steadfast commitment to sustainable viticulture and the production of premium organic wines.

"As we celebrate nearly 30 years of organic winemaking in McLaren Vale, winning the trophy for the Best Organic/Biodynamic Wine at the 2024 Royal Melbourne Wine Awards is a well-deserved affirmation of Joch’s vision and his commitment to organic winemaking. This award is also a testament to our small team, whose dedication and hard work have played such an integral part in our success," said Louise Hemsley-Smith, co-owner of Battle of Bosworth and Spring Seed Wines.

CONSISTENCY OF EXCELLENCE MEDAL

S.C Pannell was awarded the Consistency of Excellence Medal for their S.C. Pannell Basso Garnacha 2023. The Consistency of Excellence Medal is awarded to wines that achieve a gold medal in the same category and under the same label for three consecutive years at the Awards, demonstrating sustained quality since 2022.

These accolades not only honour the individual achievements of these wineries but also highlight McLaren Vale's broader dedication to sustainable practices, innovative winemaking, and the production of premium wines that truly express the region's unique coastal environment.

In addition to the trophy wins, several local producers earned prestigious gold and silver medals, read the full results.

More details can be found at: melbourneroyal.com.au