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Region’s top drops finalists for 2022 Halliday Wine Companion Awards

Shannon SmithAlbany Advertiser
James Halliday
Camera IconJames Halliday

Great Southern wineries are among the finalists in the 2022 Halliday Wine Companion Awards, with the region dominating the best-value winery category.

The annual awards were judged by the full Halliday tasting team for the first time.

A stand-out for the region, Duke’s Vineyard in Porongurup, is up for the top title of winery of the year.

“Duke’s Vineyard is a truly remarkable realisation of a dream, and one of which WA is very proud,” judges said.

Also in Porongurup, new kid on the block Lowboi is up for best new winery.

Renowned winemaker Guy Lyons and his wife, Nicky, impressed the judges with their small-batch wines from chardonnay and riesling vines.

“These wines are made with excruciating attention to detail and sensitive winemaking, acutely expressing the ground from which the vines spring,” judges said.

This year’s entries featured a record 102 new wineries.

James Halliday INSET: Duke’s Vineyard Magpie Hill Reserve Riesling 2017.
Camera IconJames Halliday INSET: Duke’s Vineyard Magpie Hill Reserve Riesling 2017. Credit: Laurie Benson/Albany Advertiser, Laurie Benson and Malcolm Heberle

The best-value winery category had the most finalists from the Great Southern — Castle Rock Estate in Porongurup, Harewood Estate and Castelli Estate in Denmark, West Cape Howe Wines in Mt Barker and Duke’s Vineyard.

Mt Barker’s Galafrey Wines is up for the title of dark horse winery — a category for wineries which received a five-star rating for the first time this year.

“While the winery has been around for some time, the vines (planted in the late 1970s) are reaching a maturity that is starting to show in the wines,” judges said of Galafrey.

For the first time, the 2022 awards feature a people’s choice category, with submissions required by July 31.

The winners will be announced on August 12.

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