Château Tanunda has been awarded the title of Australian Producer of the Year, winning a total of 22 gold medals at the 2018 Berlin International Wine Trophy Competition.

Château Tanunda competed with wineries across the country to take the prized trophy for the eighth time in nine years, having first won the title in 2010.

Among the Gold Medal winners were all four of the latest release 2016 Terroirs of the Barossa Collection wines, 2016 50 Year-old-Vines Cabernet Sauvignon, 2016 The Château Single Vineyard Shiraz and Cabernet sauvignon and the new release, 2017 Grand Barossa Shiraz.

Managing director Michelle Geber, said winning the award eight out of nine years is a significant achievement.

“We are incredibly proud to have Château Tanunda recognised as the Best Australian Producer at this show and we take great pride in our export strength, and the Grand Barossa brand continues to play a significant role where it excels in the European marketplace.

“Our constant focus is to make sure this brand over-delivers in every way and its international success is second to none: We are the number one Barossa brand in Switzerland and Russia and hold leading positions throughout Europe including Belgium and Poland,” she said.

Europe continues to expand with Australian wine seeing an increase of seven  per cent to $608 million (Wine Australia, June 2018) and it continues to command a significant role for Château Tanunda.

The 2017 Grand Barossa has just been placed into a brand-new proprietary bottle for the first time — another significant step in lifting the quality and reputation of this brand.

“To have success across a range of both red and white varietals, across every price segment from entry level to super premium is a great thrill and highlights the dedicated focus of our viticultural and winemaking teams to driving quality throughout the entire portfolio,” Geber added.

The Berlin win comes as Château Tanunda is about to launch the highly anticipated ‘Old Vine Expressions’ range internationally in October this year.

According to the latest Wine Australia export report in the 12 months to June 2018, all but one of Australia’s export price segments showed growth, with exports above $10 per litre increasing by 45% to $855 million, a record value.

“The Barossa is in high growth internationally and we are well-positioned to act on this, as we continue to expand in the luxury part of the market through our Old Vines Expressions range of wines, Single Vineyard and ‘The Château’ range,” Geber said.

The Berliner Wein Trophy has become Germany’s most important and largest international wine tasting under the patronage of the OIV and the UIOE.

It brings well-known producers and distributors from more than 30 countries together every year.

Over 11,500 samples are submitted yearly held over two tastings in February/March and July/August.