Benjamin Franklin might have said: “Wine is constant proof that God loves us and loves to see us happy,” but for the owners of Twisted River Wines outside Parkes a very special trophy for their Shiraz has put them in high spirits.
“When we bought the vineyard in 2007, I had a vision of us picking grapes to the sound of Vivaldi. It is in fact very hard work,” said Michelle Davies, who handles sales and marketing. She and Helen Armstrong, the vigneron, not only have day time jobs, but do everything by hand, including pruning and picking, on their 14 acre property
about 40km outside Parkes. That was why winning the trophy for the best Shiraz at the 2017 Australian New Zealand Boutique Wine Show with their 2016 Shiraz Viognier was a very big deal for them.
“We are really excited as there were 196 entries. It is so good to see our hard work come to fruition,” said Michelle. She was also relieved winning the prestigious prize, as the same wine won the trophy for the best red blend at the recent Cowra Wine Show. “This shows consistency, and that our win was not a flash in the pan.” According to Michelle the main motivation for them to enter wine shows are to get feedback on their wines, and to know they are on the right track. She said credit was also due to their winemakers, Chris Derrez and Lucy Maddox from Orange, who have been with them since 2010 when they first started making wine.
If you would like to share in the happiness of the Shiraz, you’d have to hurry as only 300 cases were produced. Visit the cellar door on weekends, or join the Twisted River Wine Club.
By Maggi Barnard