The Geographe Wine Show

THE GEOGRAPHE REGION has carved a name for itself as one of Australia’s most exciting new wine regions and the 20th anniversary of the Geographe Wine Show is an apt time to reflect on how far the region has come, being a cornerstone in its development.

“The purpose of the Wine Show was to create a platform where we could have our wines independently assessed and allow for interaction between the judges and the winemakers, with a view to improving the quality of wine from the region,” says Pippa Nielsen, past president of the Geographe Wine Show committee.

The second objective was to help small wineries promote their wines with medals, publicity, and by presenting the best wines to the public.

Phil Smith of St Aidan Wines organised the first Wine Show, pulling together a committee to bring the idea of a Wine Show for the Geographe region to life and from there it flourished. The first show in 2002 had 121 wines, and the judging and

CELEBRATING ITS 20TH ANNIVERSARY, THE GEOGRAPHE WINE SHOW CONTINUES PROMOTE EXCELLENCE WITHIN THE REGION BY IDENTIFYING THE BEST OF A FRUITFUL BUNCH AND SHARING KNOWLEDGE.

By FERGAL GLEESON

presentation dinner was at the Bunbury Rowing Club.

The Wine Show has continued to grow and innovate over the years. In 2007 the ‘Nicholas Baudin Trophy for Excellence in Winemaking’ was introduced as an award for winemaking skills from the Geographe region.

Willow Bridge winemakers have won this award many times – with David Crawford being the first to receive it in 2007. In 2014 the late Simon Burnell was awarded, and the current Willow Bridge team of Kim Horton and Dougal Herd have received it multiple times. They are the most recent awardees and suspense is building for the revelation of who the 2022 winner will be.

Other winemakers to receive this award multiple times are Mark Messenger and Peter Stanlake, who are contract winemakers for some of the smaller wineries in the region.

Star Judges

Bringing in outside knowledge via the judging team has been key to the success of the Geographe Wine Show. Notable judges have included Tyson Stelzer and Jane Faulkner from the Halliday Wine Companion, Chris Pfeifer, from Rutherglen Victoria and more recently the 2019 Jimmy Watson winner Paul Hotker, from Bleasdale Vineyard, in Langhorne Creek, South Australia.

West Australian winemakers have also contributed to the success of the judging teams – Glenn Goodall, Xanadu Wines, Julian Langworthy, Deep Woods and Genevieve Mann, Corymbia. Wine writers such as Erin

Larkin, Ray Jordan, and Rod Properjohn of Liquor Barons have also judged.

Alternative Varieties

Geographe is increasingly defining itself through alternative wine varieties. In 2011 the Wine Show felt it was time to give them a voice, along with other WA producers.

Initially there were only two broad classes for Alternative Whites and Red Varietals. Now there are 25. And so the best Fianos fight it out amongst themselves as do the Vermentinos, Tempranillos, Malbecs and so on! It’s a great way to bring these varieties to the attention of the wine drinking public.

Onwards and Upwards

Having initially been brought to life by the enthusiasm of talented volunteers, for the past 12 years, events powerhouse Jo O’Dea has been employed as the event coordinator and built on its success year by year. In 2013, the Geographe Wine Show was accepted as a qualifying wine show for the National Wine Show reinforcing its credibility.

Expanding its reach to include and educate the consumer, wine masterclasses were introduced a few years ago, open to wine industry and the public who would like to further their wine knowledge. Senior judges present and discuss the grape variety which won the previous year’s Wine of Show.

An interactive exhibitors tasting with the judges at the end of each show has given all participating wineries ways of improving their final product, from how to cultivate even better fruit in the vineyard to tips on best practice winemaking techniques. Winemakers are granted the opportunity to discuss their wines with the judges and gain valuable feedback.

The Future

The Wine Show will continue to innovate in the future. Future goals include becoming the number one wine show in WA for judging and showcasing alternative grape varieties and building links with the Australian Alternative Varieties Wine Show, which is held in Mildura each year.

Excitement is building for the 2022 Wine Show! Highly awarded Corrina Wright, winemaker and director of Olivers Taranga, from McLaren Vale, South Australia will be the chief judge.

Perhaps the ultimate testament to the show’s success is the continued expansion of the reputation of the Geographe Wine Region. High quality restaurants and bars now feature Geographe wines on their lists. Venues such as Market Eating House, Mojos, Boyanup Cellars and the Parade Taphouse are major champions of Geographe wine. Scan above to explore the region.

Scan to explore the Geographe Wine Region