Riesling the highlight of 2023 Wine Show of WA as Capel Vale Whispering Hill claims top honour

The Wine Show of WA has highlighted the quality of WA-produced Riesling after a busy week in Mt Barker that ended with a gala event in Albany. A drop produced from locally grown grapes was named best wine of show after judges decided Capel Vale’s Whispering Hill 2023 Riesling stood out. The wine was also awarded best and most distinctive regional character, best white wine of show, best white wine of the Great Southern and best riesling . Capel Vale winemaker Dan Hetherington said it was fantastic because the riesling had “been a big passion for Capel Vale for a long, long time”. “It is awesome for a Great Southern wine to get up because normally it’s Margaret River cabernet or chardonnay that wins the whole show,” he said. “Riesling is very expensive to grow, but it’s an awesome variety. “For us to take it out with a riesling is particularly special.” A panel of 16 judges gathered at Souness Park to sample the 686 WA-produced wine entered into the 46th annual wine show over three days last week. Mr Hetherington said the judges made a point of saying it had been a strong riesling class with “about seven” in the running to claim the trophy. “It was up against some very, very good wines,” he said. “Even though it was a poor vintage overall (in terms of quantity) for riesling, the quality was high across the region.” Wine Show of WA chair Dr John Gates said the quantity and quality of entrants were impressive and the “high calibre and engagement of our judges was the strongest ever”. “Over the last few years we have, like many of our participating wineries, experienced exciting highs and some more challenging moments across the winemaking landscapes of Western Australia,” he said. “However, the outstanding quality of wines has remained consistent, as has the WA wine community’s support of our State-based wine show.” The wines were judged across 35 classes and 24 trophies were awarded at Retravision Stadium in Albany on Friday. Judging panel chair Andrew Spinaze said a high percentage of the wines showed “great quality and regional character” which led to 462 medals being awarded, including 72 gold medals. “The highlight of the show without doubt has been the success of the riesling classes showing the quality of what WA can do with this variety producing some of the best riesling in the country,” he said. Other Great Southern wineries to perform well included Cherubino Wines (most successful exhibitor overall), Castle Rock Estate (most successful under 250 tonnes and best museum wine), Shepherd’s Hut (best Pinot Noir) and Oranje Tractor (best aged Riesling). 2023 Sanector Wine Show of Western Australia Best wine of show - Capel Vale Whispering Hill 2023 Riesling Best red wine of show - Stella Bella Luminosa Cabernet Sauvignon 2022 Best white wine of show - Capel Vale Whispering Hill 2023 Riesling Most successful exhibitor overall - Cherubino Wines Most successful exhibitor processing under 250 tonnes - Castle Rock Estate JS Gladstones best and most distinctive regional character - Capel Vale Whispering Hill 2023 Riesling Best red wine of the Great Southern - Plan B! Wines The Next Hundred Years 2022 Syrah Best white wine of the Great Southern - Capel Vale Whispering Hill 2023 Riesling Best older red wine - Fishbone Wines Joseph River Estate 2018 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Best other red varietal - Evans & Tate 2022 Single Vineyard “Carter Road” Malbec Neale Warneford best red blend - Nikola Estate 2022 Gallery Series The Modernist Ian Tyrer best cabernet sauvignon - Stella Bella Luminosa Cabernet Sauvignon 2022 Best shiraz - Credaro 1000 Crowns 2022 Shiraz Best pinot noir - Shepherd’s Hut 2022 Michael Mayo Pinot Noir Best chardonnay - Stella Bella Suckfizzle Chardonnay 2022 Best riesling - Capel Vale Whispering Hill 2023 Riesling Pam McGregor best aged riesling - Oranje Tractor 2017 Riesling Best sauvignon blanc - Millbrook 2023 Regional Sauvignon Blanc Best white blend - Sitella Wines 2016 Museum Silk Best dry white varietal - Torrent Wines 2019 La Famiglia Chenin Blanc Best rosé - Millbrook 2023 Regional Rosé Best sparkling - Sitella Wines 2017 Grand Vintage Blanc de Blancs Best fortified or sweet wine - Gralyn Estate NV Artizan Rare Muscat Best museum wine - Castle Rock Estate 2008 Riesling