Winemaker vies for top honour

A passionate Great Southern winemaker has been named as a finalist in the 2019 Gourmet Traveller Winemaker of the Year awards.

Castle Rock Estate’s Rob Diletti has been making wines at the Porongurup Range vineyard for nearly two decades.

It is not the first time Mr Diletti has been recognised for his wines — he has been named as a finalist by Gourmet Traveller once before and he won the James Halliday Winemaker of the Year award in 2014.

Castle Rock Estate winery took home awards in October at the Wine Show of WA, including best riesling of the show and most successful exhibitor processing under 250 tonnes.

Mr Diletti said he was thrilled to be in the running for the prestigious Gourmet Traveller title.

“The second nomination for this award means there is consistency in our wines which is great,” he said.

“We’re a tiny region down here, so to be able to get that recognition against great wineries and great winemakers across the country is fantastic.”

The winner, chosen from a field of eight finalists, will be announced in September.