COONAWARRA wineries have seen gold in recent days with the shine of Limestone Coast Wine Show success still gleaming across the prominent wine district.
A total of 43 gold medals were handed out across the 19th annual installment of the event, with judging hosted at Coonawarra Hall.
With almost 500 varieties from 79 producers sampled by the world-class judging panel, it was St Hugo which stole the glory with five trophy wins, including best Cabernet Sauvignon.
In a coup for the Riddoch Highway-based winery, its viticulturist Tim McCarthy won his second consecutive Arthur Hoffmann Trophy for viticulturist of best wine of show.
A Cabernet Sauvignon also helped a Coonawarra winery claim five trophies at the show with the 2016 St Hugo Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon win the Bill Redman Trophy for best wine of show while also being awarded the HR Haselgrove Trophy for best Cabernet Sauvignon and the David Wynn Trophy for best red wine of show.
Mr McCarthy won the title last year with the 2016 George Wyndham I am George Shiraz Cabernet.
Chief of judges Samantha Connew described the St Hugo Cabernet Sauvignon as a beautiful example of a wine, claiming it highlighted exactly what Coonawarra Cabernet should be.
The trophy haul continued for St Hugo when the 2015 St Hugo Vetus Purum Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon was named the best individual vineyard wine for the second year in a row.
The wine show included the unveiling of the new Pam Dunsford Trophy for best Chardonnay with 2018 Brand’s Laira Blockers Chardonnay named the inaugural winner, honouring the esteemed wine-maker’s contribution to the Limestone Coast’s wine making heritage.
Leconfield Wines also claimed an array of trophies with the 2019 Leconfield Coonawarra La Sevillana Rose named best rosé.
The 2018 Leconfield Coonawarra Old Vine Riesling also won the International Judges Award, with Riesling from the region shining at this year’s event, claiming five trophies.
“It just demonstrates that Coonawarra has got multiple strings to its bow and the story is not just about red varietals,” Ms Connew said.
“Riesling from this region also really shines.”
The Chief Judges Wine to Watch was shared between the 2018 Vandenberg Ari Shiraz and the 2019 Penley Estate Francis Cabernet Franc.
“They were certainly two wines that stood out for me in terms of style and varietal with the Shiraz demonstrating the Australian tradition of inter-regional blending to make a seamless wine,” Ms Connew said.
“The Cabernet Franc gave that modern interpretation of crunchy and vibrant red wine that consumers are increasingly looking for.”
In total, 43 gold medals were awarded at the show, equalling last year’s tally.
All entries were uncorked for public tasting over the weekend at the Coonawarra Hall.
