IN A big week for the Gippsland wine sector, they celebrated the 2025 Westpac Gippsland Wine Show with a record medal count, and then two days later, 23 winemakers joined other food and drinks producers from across Gippsland for the inaugural Eat Drink Play Gippsland Festival at Leongatha.
Earlier in the week, the annual wine show awards were attended by 130 guests at Narkoojee Winery, Glengarry South. The wine show was judged in early October at Cape Paterson, attracting 114 high-calibre entries, with judges tasting 144 wines, including the multi-vintage Wines of Provenance class.
Rob Lightfoot, Wine Gippsland president, said there were 55 medals, with an unprecedented seven gold trophies in the varietal classes showing the exceptional quality of wines in the region.
A record haul of 18 gold medals, 18 silver and 19 bronze were presented by sponsors at the annual celebration.
The prestigious Westpac Best Wine of Show went to Inverloch-based Marcus Satchell and Lisa Sartori’s Dirty Three Wines for the Dirty Three 2024 “Magic Dirt” Pinot Noir. This wine earlier won the coveted Best Pinot Noir Top Gold and trophy in a competitive category that produced a record five gold medals, five silver and four bronze from 24 entries.
Marcus Satchell said that while 2024 had been a heartbreak vintage for some wines, the “Magic Dirt” Pinot Noir presented itself as a beautiful wine from the moment the grapes were picked and needed no intervention.
“I’m so pleased others recognised that beauty. It’s a bit like making music. You do it for yourself first, and then if it resonates with others, that’s awesome.”
The seven gold varietal class trophies included a first for Waratah Hills Vineyard, of Fish Creek, for the Waratah Hills 2024 Pinot Noir Rosé, accepted by viticulturalist Georgia Roberts, from Mayor John Schelling of South Gippsland Shire Council. Waratah Hills also won a gold medal in both the coveted Pinot Noir and Chardonnay classes, for the 2024 Ella and Millie Pinot Noir, and the 2024 South Gippsland Chardonnay.
Carrajung Estate, of Willung South, won a gold medal for the 2024 Chardonnay.
First-time entrants, Wandilla Estate, Leongatha, picked up a silver medal for the 2025 Single Vineyard Riesling. There was also silver for Gippsland Wine Company’s 2025 Single Vineyard Pinot Gris.
Dirty Three Wines, which has vineyards stretching from South Gippsland to the Bass Coast, also won gold medals for the Dirty Three 2024 “All The Dirts” Chardonnay and the Dirty Three 2024 “All The Dirts” Pinot Noir.
The judging panel was experienced in cool-climate wines and was led by chair of judges Julian Grounds, director of viticulture and winemaking at Stonier, alongside Jane Faulkner, from the Halliday tasting team, and Rohan Smith, Medhurst Wines.
“The Gippsland show is one of the best in regional Australia in terms of the spirit of collaborative competition that focuses on the strengths in the region, allowing producers to benchmark against each other,” Julian said.
Bass River Winery, Glen Forbes, won the Best Sparkling Gold and Trophy for the Bass River 1835 Sparkling Brut 2021, with Frank Butera accepting the award from Kurt Best of Phillipsons Financial Services.
Purple Hen Wines, Phillip Island, claimed the Best Shiraz and the Top Gold Trophy with their 2024 The Rooster Shiraz, and Best Aromatic White Trophy with the Purple Hen 2025 Off Dry Riesling.
They also won gold with the Purple Hen 2024 Pinot Noir, won Best Cabernet Sauvignon Varieties and Blends, and won Most Successful Exhibitor, with the award presented by Lauren Van Strijp of Bass Coast Shire Council.
Gold Medal Trophies were also awarded to Blue Gables Vineyard, Tinamba, and Lightfoot Wines of Calulu.
Showcasing three vintages of the same wine, Dirty Three Wines was awarded the Best Red Wine of Provenance and also the Best White Wine of Provenance.
In a special presentation on the night, the Eckersley award, recognising outstanding contribution for the benefit of the Gippsland wine community, was awarded to Alistair and Catherine Hicks of Blue Gables Vineyard. Marcus Satchell, vice president, presenting the award, highlighted Alistair’s leadership and drive, creating a strong and collegiate association with 52 members, 13 associate members and the highest participation rate of any wine association.
“Alistair’s leadership has played a major role in helping elevate Gippsland wine to where it is today. More importantly, he helped build a culture of collaboration, working together to raise Gippsland’s profile. That unity is something many other associations envy.”
Rob Lightfoot thanked all involved in the show judging and awards dinner, including hosts, Harry and Val Friend of Narkoojee Winery, in the first major function in their new marquee.
“The depth of quality on display here tonight is a confirmation that Gippsland is a fine place to grow grapes and to make wine, and we should be confident in the future ahead.
“We are proud of what we do, the community that we are a part of, of the contribution that we as winemakers and grape growers make both to the local economy, and the culture of food and wine, not just in Gippsland, but also much further afield.”
For full details from the awards, see winegippsland.com.