The Devil’s Lair team. Photo: Shot by Ovis
Results of the 2024 Margaret River Wine Show are in, highlighting Cabernet Sauvignon from the region that judges described as “peerless”, a special trophy recognising a sustainable wine, and a tailor-made pink jacket bestowed upon the winemaker of the best rosé.
Devil’s Lair received the Trophy for Most Successful Exhibitor, and Devil’s Lair Cabernet Sauvignon 2022 triumphed with a trio of trophies, winning Best Cabernet, Best Red Wine, and Wine of Show. This adds to the eight trophies this wine has won at other competitions, including winning ‘Best Red Wine of Show’ at the prestigious National Wine Show of Australia earlier this year.
Senior winemaker and site manager at Devil’s Lair Winery, Travis Clydesdale said these results were a “huge source of pride” for the Devil’s Lair team, and their dedicated growers.
“We take enormous pride in our Cabernet program, so to be the beneficiaries of such an incredible run of success is deeply humbling and particularly satisfying,” said Clydesdale.
“Of course, any acknowledgement isn’t complete without paying homage to our winemaking utopia—the beautiful Margaret River wine region. Pound for pound, there’s simply no better location on the planet to craft luxury Cabernet Sauvignon than Margaret River.”
David Bicknell, chief winemaker at Oakridge in the Yarra Valley, chaired this year’s judging at Margaret River HEART, which included experts from across Australia, who assessed 650 entries from ninety-one exhibitors.
Fifty wines achieved gold medal status, earning 95 points or higher. An additional 102 wines received silver medals, and 242 wines received bronze medals, producing a medal strike rate of over 60%.
“Statistically, Cabernet classes edged Chardonnay this year with a whopping 28% of all gold medals in the show going principally to 2022 and 2023 vintages,” said Bicknell. “This only reinforces the opinion that Cabernet Sauvignon from Margaret River is peerless in this country.
“Not to be outdone, Chardonnay pouched 24% of the gold medals awarded, underlining its credentials as the powerhouse region for the variety with a superb spread of gold medals awarded to nine separate producers. No other region has this depth or consistency.
“What was also heartening to see was the continued rise of alternative varieties and blends, with Albariño, Cabernet Franc, Grenache and Malbec all finding strong support from the judging panel. In a wine world of changing fashion and tastes, there looks to be an incredible opportunity for the region to excel with multiple other varieties, adding further lustre to Margaret’s winemaking credentials.”
This year, the show also awarded a Sustainability Trophy, presented by Wines of Western Australia.
“This Trophy recognises a wine of excellence that is also Certified Sustainable Winegrowing Australia, Organic or Biodynamic, or in lightweight glass under 420 grams, as this single change can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions by over 20%,” explained Amanda Whiteland, CEO, Margaret River Wine Association.
Wines of Western Australia project manager Eloise Jarvis presented the inaugural Sustainable Wine Trophy to Voyager Estate for its Coastal Cabernet Sauvignon 2023, which is certified by Organic and Sustainable Winegrowing Australia. Voyager Estate is also moving future bottlings of this wine to lightweight glass. This wine also won the Tonnellerie de Mercurey Trophy for Best Single Vineyard Red.
“The Trophy for Sustainability celebrates producer’s sustainable actions and aligns with Wines of Western Australia’s ambitious goal for Western Australia—to be recognised by consumers as international leaders in sustainable wine production,” said Jarvis.
The Novonesis Trophy for Rosé, accompanied by a custom-tailored Pink Jacket, was awarded to winemaker Stuart Pierce for the Fishbone Wine Black Label Estate Rosé 2024.
Viticultural and Sustainability Excellence Award
The Viticultural and Sustainability Excellence Award was presented by Cape Mentelle, recognising the importance of vineyard practices in crafting outstanding wines and rewarding an individual’s outstanding achievement.
This year’s recipient was Richard Bateman, regional manager of Bantry Bay at Fabal Vineyards, who will receive a $3,000 travel and education bursary scholarship.
“This year’s winner displayed all the elements that we were looking for, in a methodical approach to solving problems, practical examples of sustainability, a work ethic that is truly impressive, and a desire to bring fresh faces to the industry through training and mentoring,” said Dave Moulton, chief of Cape Mentelle, in presenting the award.
Cellar Door Excellence Award
Samantha Bradley, cellar door manager at Xanadu Wines, received the Margaret River Cellar Door Excellence Award presented by Margaret River Busselton Tourism Association (MRBTA).
“This year’s winner stood out because of the way she has professionalised the cellar door experience at her venue and has introduced best practice approaches to wine tasting,” said MRBTA CEO Sharna Kearny. “What came across most of all, though, is her passion for Margaret River wine, the people she works with in the industry, and the warmth with which her team welcomes visitors.”
This award acknowledges the significance of wine tourism and cellar doors to the Margaret River wine region, underscoring the intrinsic link between wine tourism experiences and wine sales. Bradley will receive a $2,000 education and training bursary scholarship from the Margaret River Busselton Tourism Association.
Innovation Excellence Award
Dormilona’s Josephine Perry received the John Tate Memorial Innovation Award for her Fangbone range of reusable/refillable one-litre bottles.
Perry explained that Fangbone removed single-use packaging, reducing waste and improving sustainability. “It allows wine drinkers to enjoy the wine, then return the empty bottle to the place of purchase and grab a new one.”
Josephine will receive a $5,000 bursary from Miles from Nowhere to further support her innovative practices.
The 2024 judges were:
- Chair of Judges: David Bicknell – Chief Winemaker, Oakridge Wines
- Angus Hughson – Founder & Publisher, Winepilot | The Vintage Journal | The Australian Ark
- Erin Larkin – Wine Writer, Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate
- Feleasha Prendergast – Winemaker, Evans & Tate and Margaret River Vintners
- Foni Pollitt – Owner/ Sommelier/Operations Director, Mayfair Lane
- Kasia Sobiesiak – Wine Writer, The Wine Front
- Larissa Dalli Cani – Cellar Door Manager, Howard Park
- Rob Mack – Winemaker & Director, Aphelion Wine Co
- Steven Paul – General Manager/Director, Oakdene Wines
- Tim Dolan – Chief Winemaker, Kaesler Wines
The 2024 Associate Judges were:
- Cyndal Petty – Parker Group / South West Wine Shop
- Diana Pineda – Dan Murphy’s
- Ellin Tritt – Fraser Gallop Estate
- Rory Parks – Byron & Harold
- Sophie Ward – Xanadu
- Ulrika Larsson – Clairault Streicker
Full results of the Margaret River Wine Show are available at margaretriver.wine/show-results/
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