Leura Park Estate achieves top ranking medals against world’s best
International Wine Challenge 2010
Great news for Geelong wine - Leura Park Estate went head-to-head with the world’s finest at the recent International Wine Challenge (IWC) 2010 in London and is now officially classified as producing two of the best wines in the world. The local vineyard’s hand picked Block 1 Reserve Chardonnay 2008 took out Silver and its Pinot Noir 2008 took out Bronze in the 27th annual IWC, which is heralded as the world’s most prestigious and influential independent wine competition. IWC 2010 saw a record number of 46 countries - and more than 4,000 wines from around the world – enter the challenge.
Director of Leura Park Estate, David Sharp said to be benchmarked and achieve medal status against the best wines in the world was extremely exciting.
“We entered two wines – our reserve BLOCK 1 Chardonnay (nicknamed ‘Blockbuster’) and our Pinot Noir out of curiosity more than anything to be honest – to see how they ranked against the rest of the world. It’s all very well to believe in your own wine but to have that belief verified on the international stage is particularly gratifying,” Mr Sharp said.
“We are delighted with the results - essentially it’s undisputable confirmation that Leura Park Estate wines are up there with the best in the world.”
Mr Sharp said the medals would also contribute to the Geelong region’s reputation as an outstanding force in Australian wine.
“Increasingly, Geelong wines are regarded as flagship representations of premium Australian wine. To contribute to this reputation is an honour as my wife and I are so passionate about this region and all it has to offer.”
Mr Sharp said both the Block 1 chardonnay and the Pinot Noir plantations were derived from top clones, planted in 1995 which had evolved to consistently demonstrate excellence in all respects – from vine to bottle.
“A key contributing factor to the quality of the wines is the viticultural approach adopted here at Leura Park Estate - for us, it’s not about achieving maximum possible yield from any of our vines. Each year, we cull our grapes with great gusto, a practice which ultimately ensures maximum intensity of flavour,” he said.
“Both the Block 1 and the Pinot Noir are truly magnificent cool climate wines which display all the wonderful characteristics the avid wine connoisseur could ask for in the two different varietals.”
The IWC 2010 judges comments reinforce this:
Block 1 Chardonnay 2008
‘Open with white stone fruits, peach and apricot on the nose. Juicy and fruity with a nicely formed acid backbone. Fresh fruit on a soft, creamy finish’
Pinot Noir 2008
‘Serious and complex on the nose – perfumed and smoky with dark chocolate and raspberry character. Velvety softness and a silky finish.’
Mr Sharp said the wines were a credit to winemaker, Ray Nadeson, Australian Winemaker of the Year Finalist 2009.
“Ray is renowned for his innovative approach to winemaking, key features of which include whole bunch pressing, wild yeast fermentation, hand sourced premium oak and minimal interference.”
Block 1 Chardonnay retails for $32 and the Pinot Noir for $28.95 at the Leura Park Estate Cellar Door – 1400 Portarlington Road, Curlewis.
For further information, please contact:
Lyndsay Sharp
Leura Park Estate
0438 54 1169
17 June 2010.
