World's Best Shiraz

Château Tanunda's 'The Everest' wines have won two International Wine & Spirit Competition's (IWSC) Trophies.

Best Shiraz/Syrah in the world for the 2005 'The Everest' Shiraz & 'Best Single Estate Red' for the 2008 'The Everest' Grenache.

John Geber, owner of Château Tanunda, said: “We are absolutely overwhelmed by this international recognition for our Everest wines. To come top of your class is one thing but to take out the top trophies is something really special. The Everest wines are quite simply the winemaking zenith at the Château - The top wines from our highest graded vineyards and it has certainly lived up to all our expectations.”

The International Wine and Spirit Competition (IWSC) was founded in 1969 and is the premier competition of its kind in the world. Its aim is to promote the quality and excellence of the world's best wines, spirits and liqueurs.

6,800 wine entries were received in 2010 from more than 80 countries, with 450 entries in the Shiraz class alone, encompassing both the northern and southern hemispheres. 13 Gold Medal Best in Class wines were in the running for the International Shiraz/Syrah Trophy with not one but two wines made by Château Tanunda, the 2005 'The Everest' Shiraz and the 2008 'Terroirs of the Barossa' Greenock Shiraz.

Ultimately the 2005 Everest Shiraz proved to be the judges' favourite with the following tasting note; 'Fantastic nose, framboise, madagascar spices, cherries in chocolate, liquorice, dried herb and vanilla. This enormous complexity is delivered with proud elegance and style. This is beautiful precision winemaking which allows the wine to do the talking. Amazing stuff.'

The 2008 'The Everest' Grenache was also nominated Best in Class and awarded the single vineyard trophy for best red wine.

Château Tanunda is now in the running for 'Best Australian' wine producer at the Annual Awards Banquet in London on the 17th of November along with four other Barossan wineries. The international reputation for Barossan fruit has never been stronger and Château Tanunda will be proud ambassadors for the region on the night.

Celebrating its 120th anniversary this year the Château is undergoing something of a resurgence since the Geber family purchased the Château in 1998 and set about restoring this iconic building back to its former glory. 12 Gold Medals and Best Australian Producer of the Show at the 2010 Berlin Wine Trophy got the year off to a flying start in February. A five star rating from James Halliday followed with seven wines scoring 94 points and above placing the Château in the upper echelons of the 2011 Australian Wine Companion.

“The Everest wines have quite literally out-climbed the competition and reached the peak” said John Geber. “Reaching the summit of Everest is for many the ultimate goal and in naming these wines I was utterly convinced that one day we would reach the heights we have today.”