Grace Farm viticulturist Tim Quinlan with chairman of judges Huon Hooke.
Ten years after planting its first vines, Grace Farm has been awarded the Max Lake Memorial Trophy for the best Chardonnay at the 2016 Australian and New Zealand Boutique Wine Show Awards with the 2014 Chardonnay.
The small Margaret River producer received the trophy at the awards dinner at Manjit’s @ The Wharf, Darling Harbour, Sydney on Monday 11 July 2016. The Grace Farm 2014 Chardonnay also received trophies for best white wine and best wine of the show. Gold medals were awarded to both the Grace Farm 2015 Chardonnay and 2013 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon (both wines are yet to be released).
Accepting the awards on behalf of his family, an elated George Mair acknowledged the efforts of viticulturist Tim Quinlan and winemaker Johnathan Mettam: “We are fortunate to have an extraordinary vineyard site whose attributes deliver exceptional fruit. However, it is thanks to the vision, talent and dedication of Tim and Jono that the fruit shines in the Grace Farm Chardonnay we are all enjoying tonight.”
Back in Margaret River the Mair family toasted their success: “This year marks the 10th anniversary of our first vineyard plantings and to achieve this recognition in a short time confirms we have something special to offer,” said owner John Mair. “The site has the potential to deliver the absolute best wines that Australia’s south-west region can offer.”
Located mid-way between the capes, close to the coast and cross-cut by a regional drainage line and its tributaries, the sloping vineyards maximise the mineral rich soil profiles, while offering differing facing directions to suit varieties that flourish in the Margaret River region.
Sustainable farming practices, including inter-row cropping, mineral-based fertilizers and careful water management, contribute to the wine’s quality.
Attention to detail underpins both the viticulture and winemaking. Fruit for the 2014 Chardonnay was hand-picked, whole bunch pressed, allowed to ferment naturally and aged in new and aged French oak barriques for around 10 months.
The Boutique Wine Awards are dedicated to providing a platform for small wine producers throughout Australia and New Zealand to benchmark against their peers.
To order the 2014 Chardonnay now please click HERE. To be notified of the release of the gold-medal-winning 2015 Chardonnay and the 2013 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon be sure to join the Grace Farm Wine Club HERE.