Hidden Creek WineryShiraz Viognier 2023 has won theTrophyforBest Small Batch Wineof Show at this year’sRoyal Queensland Wine Awardsat the RNA Brisbane Show (the Ekka). The Brisbane Show is a competition for winesnationallyand being the first capital city wine show of the year, was traditionally regarded by the Australian wine industry as a barometer for the new vintage. The trophy shows that a Granite Belt wine can succeed in a national competition.

Hidden Creek owner Andrew Corrigan MW: “We believe that our high-altitude rocky soil is very suited to varieties such as Syrah, Viognier and Marsanne. Our location is like the northern Rhône Valley in France, which is the home of these varieties – so it’s no coincidence. The quality of our vineyards is excellent, and our high-quality grapes are a tribute to vineyard manager Trevor Christie. This trophy winning wine was 100% of Shiraz from our Top Block and Winery Block along with Viognier from our Road Block. The perfume of the wine is especially noticeable showing aromatic sweet red cherries and a little spicy peppery complexity that is followed by a soft elegant silky taste that lingers. I believe that the factor that elevates a wine from good to great is the extra quality of the raw material – namely the grapes. We have invested hugely in our vineyards in recent years, and we are seeing a flavour concentration that is wonderful”.

Andy Williams, multiple award-winning winemaker: “our vineyards are nurtured in granitic soils and showcase the terroir's unique influence in yielding depth, complexity and subtle minerality in the wines. The Shiraz-Viognier was co-fermented with a small percentage of whole- bunch Viognier as well as some whole berry clusters of Syrah, then hand-plunged twice a day for around 7 days followed by pressing and transfer to older French oak barrels for malolactic fermentation and maturation. For me, it's about crafting a wine with expressive fruitiness where oak plays a subtle role in the background. I have a sense of pride in seeing the ascendancy of a Granite Belt Wine amidst the diverse array of wines originating from various regions across Australia”.

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