Australian winemaker crowned International Winemaker of the Year for a history-making fourth time
McGuigan Wines becomes the first winery in history to win the Award four times
The world’s best winemaker has been named overnight at the 2016 International Wine & Spirits Competition (IWSC) in London, with Australian winery McGuigan Wines being crowned International Winemaker of the Year – and in doing so became the only winery in the Competition’s history to win the title four times.
Having won the title in 2009, 2011 and 2012, McGuigan Wines saw off competition from the world’s wine producing nations including France, Spain, Italy, Germany and the USA to become the first winemaker in the world - let alone an Australian one - to receive the award four times. The win not only reinforces, but enhances, Australia’s reputation as a world-class wine producing country.
Completing an outstanding evening for McGuigan Wines, the winery was also awarded the coveted Australian Producer of the Year title for ‘Australia’s best winemaker’ and as a result became the first winery to win the Australian title four times.
Chief Winemaker for McGuigan Wines, Neil McGuigan, said; “To be the only winery crowned International Winemaker of the Year four times is extremely humbling. I am immensely proud of this achievement and what this award means for Australia and McGuigan Wines. These awards are as much for the Australian wine industry as they are for us. Every time an Australian wine or producer is acknowledged at an international wine competition it puts our products on the map and forces people to sit up and take notice. We continue to be incredibly honoured to represent Australia on the world stage.
“Every day you need to have the ambition to craft beautiful, quality wine and make it the hero. This award - and our trophies - is vindication and recognition of this vision. We have a long-standing association with Hunter Valley Semillon, and we’re incredibly proud of it, but we’re now gaining recognition for our super-premium reds thanks to their incredible flavour, lightness, elegance and longevity – which is something I’ve championed for years.”
The International Winemaker of the Year and Australian Producer of the Year awards follow McGuigan Wines’ outstanding IWSC success. Two trophies from a Competition total of 16 were awarded to McGuigan Wines for the 2003 McGuigan BIN 9000 Semillon (Semillon Trophy) and the 2007 McGuigan Hand Made Shiraz (Syrah Trophy). This is the sixth year in a row McGuigan Wines has been awarded the Semillon Trophy.
In total, McGuigan Wines received two Trophies, three Gold Outstanding; one Gold, six Silver Outstanding, twenty-four Silver and twelve Bronze at the IWSC.
The 2003 McGuigan BIN 9000 Semillon and the 2007 McGuigan Handmade Shiraz are available in limited quantities at the McGuigan Cellar Door in the Hunter Valley, NSW. For more information on McGuigan Wines, visit www.mcguiganwines.com.au