St Aidan Wines wins top honour as region’s vineyards celebrated at 2023 WA Alternative Varieties Wine Show

A small Ferguson Valley vineyard has been recognised for having the top drop in the Geographe Wine Region.

St Aidan Wines was awarded the Geographe Wine of the Show at the Labelmakers Group WA Alternative Varieties Wine Show awards held on Friday night.

The winery’s 2023 Ferguson Sauvignon Blanc Semillon impressed judges, taking home the main prize alongside Best Geographe White and Best Geographe Wine Blend.

Owner Phil Smith expressed his delight at the result.

“We were completely taken by surprise that our sauvignon blanc semillon should do so well at our local show,” he said.

The awards were made extra special by the winery hosting this year’s awards night.

The vineyard also took out Best Geographe Fortified Wine for its Zena Liqueur Muscat.

Fellow owner Mary Smith thanked those who helped the winery take home the prizes.

“We would like to acknowledge the work done by Kim Horton and Dougal Herd, winemakers at Willow Bridge Estate, and the assistance of Jim from AHA viticulture, our viticultural advisor,” she said.

Mr Horton and Mr Herd were recognised in their own way, being awarded the Nicholas Baudin Trophy for their excellence in winemaking.

Willow Bridge collected several major awards, including Most Successful Geographe Producer and Best Geographe Red for its 2021 Coat of Arms Cabernet Sauvignon.

Smallwater Estate took out best rosé and two other awards for its 2023 Roze, while Oakway Estate and Green Door both won two awards each.

In the Harvey region, Vineyard 28 won Best Geographe Sweet Table Wine and Harvey River Estate won Best Geographe Shiraz.

Judging of the drops took place between September 13 and 15 at the Bunbury Regional Entertainment Centre.