Chapel Hill Winery’s The Vicar Shiraz 2017 from Australia won the “Best in Show by Country” along with “Best in the show by Varietal (Shiraz)” and a Gold medal at the 2019 China Wine Competition held in Shanghai on 4 November.

Created in the McLaren Vale region of South Australia, The Vicar Shiraz 2017 comes in a 750ml bottle and contains 14.5% ABV. The drinking window of this Shiraz is 2019-2037.

The Vicar Shiraz 2017 is full-bodied & displays charismatic layers of aniseed, rosemary and cured meats, which are seamlessly interwoven into the poised savory texture. The harmonious balance of the cascading layers of varietal flavor, palate weight, grainy tannin, and acidity will ensure that the wine will develop further complexity over the next 15 to 20 years.

The various vineyard parcels for The Vicar Shiraz 2017 were harvested and fermented separately in small batch open fermenters. To preserve purity and character, the wine is made with minimal additions and is allowed to clarify naturally without the use of fining or filtration.

Chapel Hill Winery is named after the iconic ironstone Chapel, built by Methodist settlers to the McLaren Vale area and officially opened on December 5, 1865. It served as a place of worship, school and social gathering spot for local farming families for a century. A special commemorative service was held on December 5, 1965, to officially close the Chapel after 100 years of use.

Chapel Hill Winery on the site of the Seaview Chapel schoolhouse and the 1865 ironstone Chapel still proudly stands today and is an integral feature of the tasting room. 

In 1972, the planting of the vineyard commenced and the first vintage was produced. Perched on the edge of the spectacular Onkaparinga Gorge, shallow rocky soils are a feature with sweeping views back over McLaren Vale and the Gulf St Vincent.

“The purity and balance expressed in our wines are inspired by a deep respect for our land and vines,” says Michael Fragos, chief winemaker and CEO.

To evaluate the entrants, the China Wine Competition invites a leading panel of top-level wine industry experts where wines are judged on the three parameters of Quality, Value, and Packaging. 

 The China Wine Competition, organized by the Beverage Trade Network, a leading platform that connects the alcohol beverage world - is the leading wine competition in China that looks to recognize, reward, and help promote beer brands that have successfully been created to identify and target a specific wine drinker. 

To check out other winners, click here.

To know more about the competition, click here.