Limestone Coast Grape & Wine Council, Media Release, 16 October 2023
The 22nd Limestone Coast Wine Show starts today [16 October 2023]! This morning, a panel of 16 expert critics led by new chief of judges Philip Rich will begin tasting nearly 450 of the Limestone Coast’s best wines in the heart of terra rossa country at the Coonawarra Soldiers Memorial Hall.
This year’s guest international judge, Sweden-based wine consultant Madeleine Stenwreth, is among those relishing the role of sampling so many quality entries over the coming days. One of only two Masters of Wine in her country and Sweden’s 2022 ‘Wine Personality of the Year’, Madeleine has judged at wine shows all over Australia but had never set foot in the Limestone Coast until her arrival last Thursday.
“I am focussing a lot on giving this region the attention it deserves; getting the knowledge that I need in order to make a good and honest judgement of where they are situated and heading,” Madeleine explains.
The Limestone Coast Wine Show committee has spent the past three days introducing Madeleine to as many local producers as possible.
“I had heard of Coonawarra and Padthaway, but I had no idea that so many other individual regions existed so it’s been really valuable and educational,“ Madeleine says. “Places like Robe and Mount Benson have been a real eye opener; I tasted some absolutely stunning super bright and energetic varieties with great purity there that I didn’t think I was going to find, so I’m really looking forward to seeing what else is in store this week.”
Judging is expected to wind up early Wednesday, and the winners will be announced on Thursday 19th October during a sell-out trophy dinner at Padthaway Estate. The trophy dinner will also feature a special presentation from 2022 Arthur Hoffmann Trophy winner Ben Briggs, who recently travelled to the USA as part of his prize for being the viticulturist behind last year’s Best Wine of Show – the 2019 St George Cabernet Sauvignon.
“I was fortunate to tour Paso Robles and the Napa Valley, looking at premium luxury cabernet and getting an insight into what America is doing with autonomous equipment,” Ben explains. “Some of the sites were just incredible with vineyards planted on mountains with 2000-foot elevation – there was a lot to learn and it was a really fascinating trip.”
All wine show entries will be available for public tasting this Friday morning at the Coonawarra Soldiers Memorial Hall.
Key dates:
- Judging: 16th-18th October at the Coonawarra Hall
- Trophy dinner: 19th October at Padthaway Estate
- Exhibitors tasting: 20th October at Coonawarra Hall 9am-1:00pm
