Australia’s finest wines crowned at Perth Royal Wine Awards

September 7, 2020

The winners of the prestigious Perth Royal Wine Awards have been announced at an awards evening hosted by the Royal Agricultural Society of WA. 

The awards – which date back to the 1840s – are WA’s biggest and most storied awards programme for Australian wine, and – in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic – is the largest wine awards to proceed in Australia, this year. 

The 2020 Perth Royal Wine Awards showcased the best of WA and Australian wine – seeing over 1,400 bottles of wine exhibited across 56 different classes. 

WA wine grower, Evans & Tate, took the hotly contested Trophy for Best Wine of Show with their 2018 Redbrook Reserve Chardonnay. The wine also won the Trophy for Best White Table Wine; Trophy for Best Western Australian White Table Wine and Trophy for Best Chardonnay. 

Meanwhile, the Trophy for Most Successful Western Australian Exhibitor was won by Xanadu (Margaret River, WA) with six gold; five silver and three bronze medals. 

Xanadu also took home the Trophy for Wines of Provenance Best Red or White Varietal for their 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon. 

The Trophy for Exhibitor who has Five or More Judged Entries Gaining the Highest Average Points – traditionally seen an indicator for the producer with the most consistent quality across their range of wines – was won by Brown Family Wine Group, with the 2018 Brown Brothers Patricia Chardonnay; 2019 1889 Sauvignon Blanc; 2019 Devils Corner Sauvignon Blanc; 2015 Brown Brothers Patricia Noble Reisling; 2018 Tamar Ridge Reserve Pinot Noir; 2017 Devils Corner Mt Amos Pinot Noir; Pirie Sparkling NV and 2013 Pirie Sparkling Vintage all receiving gold medals. 

The prize recognising smaller growers in WA – the Trophy for Most Successful Western Australian Exhibitor Processing Under 300 Tonnes; went to Fermoy Estate (Margaret River, WA). 

The Perth Royal Wine Awards judging commenced on 2August and spanned over four days. Rob Diletti (Castle Rock Estate, WA), led the judging team for the first time, comprising industry experts, not just limited to wine makers. Sommeliers; writers; retailers and others were invited to share their own unique perspective on proceedings. 

The intensive judging concluded with an exhibitor tasting and the Perth Royal Wine Awards presentation at Claremont Showground, the spiritual home of the awards for more than 100 years. 

Wine makers, stewards and VIP’s – who attended the tasting and presentation – enjoyed Perth Royal Food Award wine; and a grazing table constructed from Perth Royal Food Awards winning produce.   

Winning a Perth Royal Wine Award is considered true marker of achievement in the industry due to the considerable history of the awards and vigorous judging process involved. The awards carries a special significance in 2020, following the challenges which the wine industry has faced over the past twelve months. 

David Thomas, President of the Royal Agricultural Society of WA, which oversees the Perth Royal Wine Awards, said: “It is always a pleasure to celebrate the successes of our entrants and – in a wider sense – the successes of the wine industry across Australia, over the past year. 

“And what a year it has been. From drought, to bushfires, to COVID-19; there can be few more challenging periods endured by Australian wine growers than those in 2020. 

“It speaks volumes for the industry and those for whom it is their passion to produce exceptional wine, that wine growers in 2020 have shown true spirit and resilience and for that they deserve a hearty congratulations.” 

For more information about the Perth Royal Wine Awards and a full list of winners from 2020, visit https://perthroyalfoodawards.raswa.org.au   

ENDS 

Media contact: 

 

Marcus Visic 

Marketing and Communications
Royal Agricultural Society of WA 

Marcus.visic@raswa.org.au 

0438 945 506