Swanpool winemakers celebrate silver medal for ‘very drinkable’ shiraz

By Contributed

Dec 3, 2024

Steve Famsteed (chief wine show judge), Mark Foletta (Saffron Gramophone Wines), Jessica Davison and Michael Vanderzee of Swanpool Creek Wines. Photo by Contributed

Local winemakers Jessica Davison and Michael Vanderzee have been awarded a silver medal for their 2021 Swanpool Creek shiraz at the North East Victorian Wine Challenge.

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Ms Davison said chief wine show judge Steve Famsteed said the wine was excellent, very drinkable and a good example of a lighter style cool climate shiraz.

“This was the fifth consecutive medal for our shiraz, having won gold, silver and bronze medals for vintages between 2018 and 2021,” she said.

“It takes a lot of hard work and perseverance to make wine, from winter pruning, picking, vinifying (making the wine) and bottling.

“Each bottle is at least two years in the making.

“The vagaries of the weather play a key part, so you are never really sure of the end product until you take a sip.”

Ms Davison said she was keen to praise their winemaker, Rob Ellis from Hanging Rock Winery, who makes wine for a number of vignerons in the district and specialises in cool climate wines.

There will be a free tasting of the prize-winning Swanpool Creek shiraz at the Benalla Bottle-O on Friday, December 6 between 3pm and 7pm. The shiraz is also on sale at the Swanpool Store.