Grampians Estate’s 2003 Streeton Reserve Shiraz won 3 trophies at the inaugural Western Victoria Wine Challenge dinner in Ararat on Saturday 8th October 2005. After winning the Shiraz trophy, the 2003 Streeton Reserve Shiraz went on to win the Judges Trophy and the Consumers Trophy for the Best Wine of the event.

The winners were

• Riesling – 2005 Garden Gully Riesling (Grampians region)
• Chardonnay – Tomboy Hill (Ballarat region)
• Other white – no award
• Pinot – Hochkirk Winery (Henty region)
• Shiraz – Grampians Estate (Grampians)
• Other red – Kimbarra Cabernet (Grampians)
• Consumers Wine of the show – Grampians Estate (Grampians)
• Judges Wine of the Show – Grampians Estate (Grampians)
• Perpetual Shield for most successful region – Grampians

The shiraz class was particularly strong with so many highly regarded shiraz producers in the Pyrenees and Grampians.

Some 112 people enjoyed a superb dinner, accompanied by the award winning wines. The event was extremely well supported by sponsors, with the two major trophies being magnificent prizes. The Judge’s Trophy was sponsored by Grampians Event Hire, their prize being an event to the value of $3000, and the Consumers Trophy was sponsored by the Royal Mail Hotel, their prize being 2 nights accommodation in King Luxury apartments, automatic entry on to the wine list, wine by the glass for November and December, and to host a wine dinner for 50 to 80 people.

The awards night started with great excitement, Garden Gully winning the riesling class with the first wine made under the new management. Most of the five families involved in the new business were present, as well as Grampians Estate’s vineyard manager Bob Stapley, and several ex-shareholders in Garden Gully. Bob, Tom and the Great Western Riding Club picked the frost effected crop in a vineyard which had been badly neglected in recent years, but the 40 year old vines certainly had the last laugh.

For more infrmation on how the Wine Challenge worked, go to News - Special Events and click on Western Victoria Wine Challenge

Tom and Sarah with a trophy each!		Bob and Felicia enjoying the night at the Wine Challenge. Bob manages the Grampians Estate vineyard and is called upon to do the majority of the work at Garden Gully, such as the pruning and picking.