The news was released at night on the 17th, in the morning in London time.

And, 2014 Orange Shiraz got Silver Medal!!

This was tough vintage.
Fruits were affected by smoke, gave up using fruit from Upper Hunter, rush to Orange and got beautiful fruit.

Every winemaker wants “good” fruit every year, but you won’t get every year.
And you won’t get “amazing” fruit so often.

When you have “good” fruit, you are kind of happy but nervous at the same time.
You can not mess up. You have got huge responsibility from that point.
Yes, I was very nervous when I know the fruit is great, and clean.
Cold soak, ferment lower temperature than normal(not sure why I did it ), unique cap management, extended maceration, french oak, early blending to keep fresh fruit character….. I was so worry every single process I was taking, until the end… early blending was my solution to keep the freshness. I wasn’t sure if I was doing right thing to this fruit.
Blended, and wine was beautiful. But still I wasn’t sure.

Anyway, this wine had Silver Medal at Orange Wine Show in 2015. That blew me away, and very happy of course.
Huon Hooke gave me Silver Ribbon in 2016! again, so happy!
And, another Silver at International Wine Challenge in 2017.
Very happy I am.

Few photo for you to have a look while I was in London for Sake and Wine judge the end of April.

It was wonderful experiences, always.
Hope you have tried Shiraz, or going to try it.
It is a great wine.

The cellar door open from 10 am to 4 pm.
This weekend is Sake Tasting weekend, so please visit Small Forest Cellar Door.
Muku – White Swiss Shepherd puppy is waiting to meet you too!