Winery takes top honours

By Ed Merrison
A YARRA Valley winery took out top honours for one of its white wines at a major wine competition last week.
Allinda Winery in Dixons Creek was announced winner in the top Victorian Riesling category at the Federation Square Annual Wine Awards on Wednesday, 2 August.
The winery, which has been making Riesling since 1995, presented a range of red and white wines for tasting last November and was commended on each of them.
The 2005 Riesling in particular caught the judges’ attention, and it was this wine that went on to the final and came out on top.
Allinda Winery owner and winemaker Al Fencaros was unable to attend the award ceremony at BMW Edge in Federation Square due to illness.
Mr Fencaros instead asked Allinda marketing manager Tony Inglese to collect the award from Tourism Minister John Pandazopoulos.
Mr Inglese said the winery was very pleased with the award, which recognised a meticulous winemaker and one of the region’s smaller wineries.
“This just shows that the Yarra Valley’s smaller wineries have some top wines at affordable prices, and it also shows we have some interesting styles.
“This is just reward for the effort Al’s put in over many years. He believed in Riesling from the start and has continued with the style, and now it’s reaping the rewards,” he said.
Mr Pandazopoulos said the wine industry was one of the great success stories of the Victorian economy, creating jobs and boosting tourism.
“With an annual turnover of around $1.3 billion, the Victorian wine industry represents about 23 per cent of the national industry and employs around 4,500 people in cellar doors, restaurants and accommodation.
“The wine industry is also one of the fastest growing sectors of tourism in the State, contributing a massive $493 million to Victoria’s economy – up 20 per cent from 2002,” Mr Pandazopoulos said.