Koonara was recently announced as “Coonawarra’s Winery Of The Year” for 2015, at the Melbourne International Wine Competition.
Koonara was in great company with other regional winners including; Bird in Hand in the Adelaide Hills, Dandelion Vineyards in the Eden Valley, Soul Growers in the Barossa, Taylors Wines in Clare Valley and Aramis Vineyards in McLaren Vale.
“We are thrilled with the announcement,” said Dru Reschke, Koonara’s owner and vigneron. “With the incredible quality coming out of all the wineries in Coonawarra at the moment, it could have just as easily gone to any of them, so it’s a humbling award.”
The Melbourne International Wine Competition is one of the only international wine competitions with trade judges. The judges are comprised of buyers from top retail stores, sommeliers, restaurant owners, hotel beverage directors, distributors and importers. Judges included Kate Lawton who is Senior Buyer at Vinomofo; Peter Nixon, Dan Murphy’s Natural Fine Wine Manager and Christian Maier, Sommelier and Buyer for RACV Clubs and Resorts.
Koonara’s Family Reserve Ambriel’s Gift, 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon also received a Gold medal in the competition. Ambriel’s Gift 2012, boasts other awards including 94 points by James Halliday, and 94 points from Wine Showcase Magazine. Koonara also took home a Bronze for The Desolate Soil Pinot, 2012.