Bay of Fires and Leasingham shine on global stage at Decanter World Wine Awards 2015

The 2014 Bay of Fires Sauvignon Blanc and the 2009 Leasingham Classic Clare Riesling have impressed the esteemed Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA) 2015 judging panel collecting coveted international trophies. Of the 35 international trophies handed out, six were awarded to Australian wines two of those won by Bay of Fires and Leasingham.

The 2014 Bay of Fires Sauvignon Blanc collected the International Trophy for Sauvignon Blanc over £15 and the 2009 Leasingham Classic Clare Riesling took home the International Trophy for Dry Riesling over £15, both wines representing the very best of their varietals in a competition that drew a record number of 15,929 entries from 48 countries. With more wines entered than ever before, Australia was again popular with 78% of all wines entered winning an award.

Reinforcing their show pedigree, House of Arras and Houghton picked up regional trophies for their respective flagship wines. The Regional Trophy for Australian Sparkling Wine over £15 was awarded to the 2002 House of Arras EJ Carr Late Disgorged and the 2013 Houghton Jack Mann Cabernet Sauvignon was presented with the Regional Trophy for Australian Red Single Varietal over £15.

Accolade Wines’ Chief Australian Winemaker Paul Lapsley said it’s an honour to be recognised as a producer of world class wines worthy of international acclaim.
“We’re extremely proud of the Decanter World Wine Awards 2015 results; they highlight the depth of our premium viticultural and winemaking credentials. Our teams work incredibly hard to help craft wines of the highest standards and our commitment to quality is reflected in these award wins,” Lapsley said.

“The strong Australian showing at DWWA 2015 is reflected in the wider Accolade Wines’ results with a total of 13 gold medals awarded to wines from Bay of Fires, Leasingham, House of Arras, Houghton, Hardys and Brookland Valley.

“Our strong results build on the consistent recognition these wines have received across Australian and international shows in 2014 and 2015.

Of particular note is the 2009 Leasingham Classic Clare Riesling, this wine has been awarded three trophies and six gold medals so far.

“Our Western Australian portfolio as a whole is performing exceptionally well with the 2012 Brookland Valley Estate Cabernet Merlot collecting three trophies and eight gold medals, the 2013 Brookland Valley Estate Chardonnay picking up eight gold medals and the 2013 Houghton Gladstones with six gold medals.

“House of Arras sparkling wines continue to prove they are world class, the 2002 House of Arras EJ Carr LD has accumulated three trophies and five golds,” added Lapsley.

Now in its 12th year, the Decanter World Wine Awards are one of the world’s leading wine competitions. Judged by the top wine experts from around the globe, the DWWA is trusted internationally for its rigorous judging process. Chaired by Steven Spurrier, along with vice-chair Gerard Basset MS MW, the DWWA 2015 consisted of a panel of 240 judges, including 86 Masters of Wine and 23 Master Sommeliers.

“The Decanter World Wine Awards is here to recognise and award quality. I think that is what has made the DWWA the most important wine competition in the world,” Spurrier, said.

Accolade Wines’ full trophy and gold medal results from the Decanter World Wine Awards for 2015 are below:
Bay of Fires
2014 Bay of Fires Sauvignon Blanc (current – RRP: $34.99) International Trophy Sauvignon Blanc over £15 and Gold Medal
Leasingham
2009 Leasingham Classic Clare Riesling (current – RRP: $50) International Trophy Dry Riesling over £15 and Gold Medal
2014 Leasingham Classic Clare Riesling (available 2020 – RRP: $50) Gold Medal
2014 Leasingham Bin 7 Riesling (available late 2015 – RRP: $23.99) Gold Medal
House of Arras
2002 House of Arras EJ Carr LD (current – RRP: $149) Regional Trophy Australian Sparkling Wine over £15 and Gold Medal
Houghton
2013 Houghton Jack Mann Cabernet Sauvignon (available early 2016 – RRP: $115) Regional Trophy Australian Red Single Varietal over £15 and Gold Medal
2013 Houghton Gladstones Cabernet Sauvignon (available early 2016 – RRP: $84.99) Gold Medal
Hardys
2012 Hardys Eileen Hardy Shiraz (current – RRP: $124.99) Gold Medal
2013 Hardys Thomas Hardy Cabernet Sauvignon (available mid 2016 – RRP: $130) Gold Medal
Brookland Valley
2012 Brookland Valley Estate Cabernet Merlot (current – RRP: $54.99) Gold Medal
2013 Brookland Valley Estate Chardonnay (current – RRP: $47.99) Gold Medal
2013 Brookland Valley Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon (available early 2017 – RRP: $74.99) Gold Medal
2013 Brookland Valley Reserve Chardonnay (current – RRP: $70) Gold Medal

For more information about the Decanter World Wine Awards 2015, please visit www.decanter.com/dwwa

-ENDS-

Accolade Wines – background

Drawing on the proud heritage of Hardys, one of the first wineries established in Australia over 160 years ago, Accolade Wines has matured into a global wine company whose brands sell in over 100 countries. Our portfolio features some of the world’s best-known brands including Hardys and Banrock Station (Australia), Flagstone and Kumala (South Africa), Echo Falls and Geyser Peak (California), and Mud House and Waipara Hills (New Zealand), amongst others. Headquartered at historic Reynella, South Australia, we employ more than 1500 people in Australia, the UK, mainland Europe, North America, Asia, New Zealand and South Africa.

Our vision is to be the world’s leading provider of New World, premium, commercial and value wines. For more information about our people, our brands and our business visit us at localhost/accolade-wines.com.

For more information, interview opportunities or images please contact:

Peta Barclay | e: [email protected] | p: 02 8336 8252 | m: 0466 207 467

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