Wahgunyah, 8 August 2024 — We’re thrilled to share some exciting news from St Leonards Vineyard! Our team celebrated a fantastic evening at the 2025 Halliday Wine Companion Awards, where we were honoured with the prestigious Five Black Stars rating. This recognition truly reflects our commitment to crafting innovative, high-quality wines that showcase the unique character of our vineyard.
Our Award Winning Wines
One of the highlights was our2022 St Leonards Vineyard Wahgunyah Shiraz, which received an outstanding 94 points. Jeni Port, a respected wine critic, had wonderful things to say about our Shiraz, calling it "special" and praising its rich complexity. She highlighted the "black cherry, dark plum, woodsy spices, aniseed, earth, and a hint of bay leaf," all perfectly balanced with focused tannins. Our vineyard benefits from the unique terroir of Wahgunyah, and it's rewarding to see these special qualities reflected in the scores and reviews.
Innovation in Winemaking
At St Leonards Vineyard, we have a creative approach to winemaking. This is especially evident in our experimental Pilot Project range. Our 2023 Pilot Project Marsie, an innovative blend of Muscat and Marsanne made with skin contact, received 90 points. Jeni Port described it as having "lively floral aromatics," with notes of honeysuckle, orange blossom, lychee, and ginger, contributing to its warm, textural profile and captivating amber hue.
Redefining Fortified Wines
We're also excited about the success of our Hip Sip range, where we're redefining fortified wines for a modern audience. OurNV Hip Sip Muscatearned a commendable 92 points, praised for its "full fruit charm of the muscat grape – dried fruits and peel – with an intensity of treacly sweetness elevated by clean, neutral spirit."
Similarly, our NV Hip Sip Tawny scored 90 points. It offers a fresh take on a classic fortified wine, with youthful vibrancy and notes of "dried fruits, toasted nuts, and sweet mocha chocolate." We believe this wine is a fantastic introduction to the world of fortified wines.
Our Commitment to Sustainability
In addition to our success at the awards, we're proud of our commitment to sustainable viticulture. Recently accredited by Sustainable Winegrowing Australia, we continue to prioritise practices that preserve soil health and ensure the ongoing quality of our wines.
Experience Our Award-Winning Wines
We invite you to explore our award-winning wines and experience the unique flavours crafted from the distinctive terroir of Wahgunyah. Visit ouronline shop. Trade customers can reach out to their wholesale representatives for more information.
