Bendigo Wine Region News

Gold Medal For Water Wheel

02 December 2007

Water Wheel Vineyards has been awarded a gold medal at the recent 2007 National Wine Show of Australia.   The prize-winning wine was the Water Wheel 2006 Bendigo Shiraz, winning in the Class 12 – 2006 Dry Red – Shiraz category.

The National Wine Show of Australia is a prestigious wine event that is staged by the Royal National Capital Agricultural Society each year.  The Chairman of Judges for the show was James Halliday.  He is well-regarded as Australia’s top wine judge, respected wine critic, book writer and vigneron. 

Water Wheel Vineyards is owned by the Cumming family who have farmed in the Bendigo region for fifty years.  Ron and Peter Cumming have a strong background in horticulture and place a strong emphasis on vineyard management.  At the winery the focus is on producing high quality, fruit driven wines with strong varietal definition and length on the palate.

The original Water Wheel Vineyard was planted in 1970.  In 1989 the Cumming family purchased the winery and surrounding 20 acres of vines.  Since then three new vineyards have been planted at Bridgewater-on-Loddon to help enhance the complexity and improve the overall wine quality.  Their total plantings now exceed 300 acres.

Situated on the banks of the Loddon River in the shadow of the historic water powered Water Wheel Flour Mill the cellar door offers glimpses of winemaking in progress in a cosy building surrounded by hectares of thriving vines.

This same wine, the Water Wheel 2006 Bendigo Shiraz has also been selected to be served at the official Australia Day Luncheon in Melbourne next year.

To try this award-winning wine visit the cellar door at Water Wheel Vineyards, Raywood Road, Bridgewater-On-Loddon or at most wine retailers in the Bendigo region.

ENDS………..

For media requests please contact Aileen Walsh on 0407 706769 or visit www.bendigowine.org.au