Local gold medal winners were:

l Montgomery Hill’s 2009 sauvignon blanc,

l Plantagenet’s Hazard Hill 2009 sauvignon blanc semillon,

l Plantagenet’s 2008 riesling,

l Forest Hill’s 2008 Block 1 riesling,

l Forest Hill’s 2008 Estate chardonnay,

l Castle Rock’s 2008 pinot noir,

l The Lake House’s Premium Reserve 2008 pinot noir,

l Ferngrove’s Majestic 2009 cabernet sauvignon,

l Howard Park’s 2007 Leston cabernet sauvignon, and

l Harewood Estate’s 2007 shiraz cabernet.

Fruit sourced from the Great Southern helped Houghton to a gold medal with the CW Ferguson 2007 cabernet malbec.

Trophy winners will be announced at the gala awards dinner which will be held at the Hyatt Regency in Perth next Tuesday, October 20.

Industry legends will also be honoured at the dinner.

The Wine Show will hold the annual Top 50 Tasting on Wednesday, October 28, offering wine lovers the opportunity to taste the 50 top-pointed wines from the 2009 show.

Blackwood-Stirling MLA Terry Redman said the 32nd Wine Show at Mount Barker highlighted the quality and depth of the State’s wine industry.

“There is no doubt that our wine industry has been doing it tough in recent times but an increase in exhibitor numbers at this year’s Wine Show is a positive sign and an indication of growers’ faith in the quality of their product,” he said.

“From its humble beginnings in 1978 as part of the Mount Barker Agricultural Show, this prestigious event is now recognised as a highlight on the State’s wine calendar.”

A total of 213 exhibitors entered wines, up five per cent on 2008.

This year’s judging team, led by internationally recognised Western Australian winemaker Vanya Cullen, awarded a total of 53 gold medals from 41 classes.

“The Wine Show Committee and all those who contribute to the event’s success are to be commended for putting together another stand-out Show in its 32nd year,” Mr Redman said.