The 2021 G7 Shiraz by The Willows Vineyard, a small producer from Barossa’s north has been recognised as Barossa’s wine of the year at the 2022 Barossa Wine Show.

The single-vineyard Shiraz was awarded a total of five trophies for its vibrant expression of Barossa’s regional hero.

“The 2021 The Willows Vineyard G7 Shiraz is a wine of vitality and succulence, and quite moreish.  A beautiful representation of the Barossa from a very strong vintage.  It is lovely to see an authentic, yet modern style of Shiraz” said Chair of Judges, Sue Bell.

On accepting the award, Jack Scholz The Willows Vineyard winemaker and viticulturist, said “I know how hard it is to win this award.  There are a number of wines worthy of winning this trophy. So when the cards fall your way it really is a humbling experience.

I look out across the crowd and see so many people that I’m lucky to call friends. People that I have worked with, learned from and have helped me and my family along the journey. I want to say thank you  very much, thanks for your friendship. Barossa truly is a special place in that regard.”

The 2021 vintage stood out as a particularly expressive vintage, while the region’s suitability for traditional Rhone varieties was noted.

Judging across the classes, 2021 as a vintage really stood out for its quality across a strong range of classes. The vintage was particularly noted for its freshness and vibrancy.  Grenache and GSM are always exciting, and the creation of two new classes for Mataro and Rhone whites, shines a light on how well these varieties are performing.”

The Willows Vineyard received a sixth trophy, Best Mataro/Mourvédre for the 2021 G7 Mataro.

“Judging without knowing varieties, gives the judges the opportunity to focus on place.  It was a very tight race for Wine of Show between Shiraz and Mataro.  Interestingly, both wines made by the same producer.  What a great effort” said Sue

International Judge, Mark Pygott MW  (UK) returned to the show this year, also judging the Wine of Provenance classes

“This is a very important class, as it demonstrates Barossa’s ability to produce wines that persist and age gracefully. No wine exemplified this more in the whites than Peter Lehmann Wines Wigan Riesling. Over its 17-year span it demonstrated great consistency, texture and flavour and was unanimously voted as White Wine of Provenance.

Equally, the Red Wine of Provenance, Saltram No. 1 Shiraz had incredible purity and connection across the 16 years represented by the three wines, with the 2006 vintage particularly impressive.”

474 medals were awarded in the 2022 Barossa Wine Show; 74 gold, 160 silver and 240 bronze.

 

Full show results are available here

 


 

2022 Trophy Winners

 

THE PERNOD RICARD WINEMAKERS – L HUGO & COLIN GRAMP MEMORIAL TROPHY

Best 2022 Riesling, Class 1

Penfolds 2022 Bin 51 Eden Valley Riesling

 

THE ACCLAIMED WORKFORCE TROPHY

Best 2021 or older Riesling, Class 2

Leo Buring 2017 Leonay Mature Release Riesling

 

THE HAHN CORPORATION TROPHY

Best Semillon, Class 3

Grant Burge 2016 Centenerian Semillon

 

THE BRADY & CO TROPHY

Best White Wine – other varieties or blends

Yalumba 2021 Samuel’s Collection Eden Valley Viognier

 

THE KWIK KOPY NORWOOD TROPHY

Best Rosé, Class 6

Tscharke Wines 2022 Grenache Rosè

 

THE VINTNERS BAR & GRILLTROPHY

Best Sweet or Sparkling Wine

Heggies Vineyard Estate 2021 Botrytis Riesling

 

THE TARAC TECHNOLOGIES TROPHY

Best Fortified Wine, Class 21-24

Liebichwein NV Rare Muscat

 

THE JBG ARCHITECTS TROPHY

Best Red Wine – other varieties, Class 18

Little Giant 2021 Little Batch Montepulciano

 

THE CCL LABEL TROPHY

Best Red Wine – other blends, Class 12

Jacob’s Creek 2021 Our Limited Release Barossa Red Field Blend

 

THE RIEDEL TROPHY

Best Mataro/Mourvédre

The Willows Vineyard 2021 G7 Mataro

 

THE A STILLER COOPERS TROPHY

Best Shiraz and Cabernet blend, Class 15

Henschke 2019 Keyneton Euphonium

 

THE VINPAC INTERNATIONAL & PROWINE TROPHY

Best Grenache, Class 16

Greenock Creek 2021 Cornerstone Grenache

 

THE BAROSSA ENTERPRISES TROPHY

Best Cabernet Sauvignon, Class 13 & 14

Peter Lehmann Wines 2021 Hill & Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

 

THE BOB McLEAN MEMORIAL TROPHY SPONSORED BY LALLEMAND AUSTRALIA

Best Grenache, Shiraz and Mourvedre dominant blends, Class 17

Hentley Farm 2021 Villain and Vixen GSM

 

THE FERMENTIS TROPHY

Best Museum Red Wine, Class 20

St Hugo 2015 Single Vineyard Barossa Valley Hahn Shiraz

 

THE ROD SCHUBERT TROPHY

Best 2021 Shiraz, Class 9

The Willows Vineyard 2021 G7 Shiraz

 

THE WINECHEK TROPHY

Best 2020 Shiraz, Class 10

Peter Lehmann Wines 2020 Eight Songs Shiraz

 

THE GREENOCK TROPHY

Best 2019 or older Shiraz, Class 11

Wolf Blass 2018 Sapphire Label St Johns Shiraz

 

THE LAFFORT TROPHY

Best 2022 Dry Red Wine, Class 19

Sons of Eden 2022 East of Eden Barossa Valley Grenache

 

THE AP JOHN COOPERS TROPHY

Best Shiraz Trophy

The Willows Vineyard 2021 G7 Shiraz

 

THE BARONS OF BAROSSA TROPHY

The Chairman’s Selection for The Barossa Cellar

Hentley Farm 2021 Villain and Vixen Shiraz

 

THE PETER LEHMANN PERPETUAL TROPHY SPONSORED BY CASELLA FAMILY BRANDS

Wine of Provenance – White

Peter Lehmann Wines Wigan Riesling – 2015, 2010, 2005

 

Wine of Provenance – Red

Saltram Wine Estate No. 1  Shiraz – 2017, 2010, 2006

 

THE BAROSSA VALLEY TOYOTA TROPHY

Most Outstanding Barossa White Table Wine, Premium Classes

Penfolds 2022 Bin 51 Eden Valley Riesling

 

THE SEGUIN MOREAU TROPHY

Most Outstanding Barossa Red Table Wine, Premium Classes

The Willows Vineyard 2021 G7 Shiraz

 

THE BURGE BAROSSA TROPHY

Most Outstanding Barossa Single Vineyard Wine, Premium Classes
The Willows Vineyard 2021 G7 Shiraz
Viticulturist: Jack Scholz

 

THE COOPERAGES 1912 AUSTRALIA TROPHY

Best Small Sized Winery
Pirathon Wines

 

THE MULTI-COLOR CORPORATION TROPHY

Best Medium Sized Winery
Hentley Farm

 

THE AHRENS TROPHY

Best Large Sized Winery
Treasury Wine Estates

 

THE ORORA BEVERAGE TROPHY

Most Outstanding Barossa Wine, Premium Classes
The Willows Vineyard 2021 G7 Shiraz