The Sheraton Perth WA Wine Awards is one of the most watched events on the Australian wine calender, and once again Margaret River did itself proud with a string of winners at the 21st annual competition.

The event, held in July, is the only non-Agricultural Society sponsored wine event of its kind in Australia, and all winners are automatically eligible to enter the National Wine Show held each year in Canberra. The standard of entrants is consistently excellent and the level of competition world class.

There are 27 awards in all with gold and silver medals awarded in 12 classes. This year's Awards saw an impressive cross section of Margaret River white varieties pick up a swag of gold. The winners were: 1998 Abbey Vale Verdelho, 1998 Moss Brothers Semillon, 1995 Chapman's Creek Chardonnay and 1998 Woody Nook Sauvignon Blanc.

Vasse Felix took out a Gold Medal in the Red Blends category for its 1996 Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot/Cabernet Franc; and Gold in the Cabernet Sauvignon class for the 1996 Forest Hill Cabernet Sauvignon (Mount Barker).

There was also a commendable showing of Silver. These were: 1998 Vasse Felix Rhine Riesling/Traminer, 1998 Brookland Valley Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc, 1998 Karri Grove Estate Semillon/Sauvignon Blanc and 1997 Vasse Felix Shiraz. The Jack Mann Memorial Medal for the individual who has contributed the most to the Western Australian wine industry was awarded to Diana Cullen of Cullen Wines. There has probably never been a more worthy recipient of this honour. (See more about this remarkable woman here).

Local Vineyards Produced a Swag of Gold at the Sheraton

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