Lightfoot Wines shone at the 2024 Gippsland Wine Show, earning the title of Most Successful Exhibitor.
The awards dinner, held last Thursday at Carrajung Estate, highlighted the best of the region’s cool-climate wines. Drawing entries from across Gippsland, the show featured more than 154 wines evaluated across multiple categories, showcasing the diversity and quality of the region’s winemaking, from aromatic whites to robust reds.
“This year’s Gippsland Wine Show medal rate has been an impressive 60 per cent of wines exhibited, with more than 15 per cent awarded gold in 2024,” Alastair Hicks, president of Wine Gippsland, said.
“The Gippsland Wine Show is an important event in our calendar. It is an opportunity for our members to exhibit their wines and have them assessed by experienced judges. “Their comments provide critical feedback to help our winemakers continue to improve.
“The public tasting and awards ceremony is also an important event to share with our sponsors, guests, and regional stakeholders, who support Wine Gippsland and its increasing role in helping to grow food and drink tourism. We thank all our sponsors and supporters who help to make these events such a success.”
The judging panel was led by chair of judges Sarah Fagan, chief winemaker at TarraWarra Estate, alongside esteemed judges Julian Grounds and Jane Faulkner.
With their extensive expertise in cool-climate winemaking, the panel brought a keen appreciation for Gippsland’s unique wine styles, providing thorough and thoughtful assessments.
“The results this year truly speak to the overall strength of Gippsland wine. No single winery made a clean sweep, which is a testament to the consistent quality coming from across our region,” Tom Lightfoot, of Lightfoot Wines, said.
Among the key category winners, Carrajung Estate took home the Best Sparkling award for their 2020 Vintage Sparkling Chardonnay, while Dirty Three Wines earned Best Aromatic White for their 2024 “The Dirty Rizza” Riesling. The prestigious Best Chardonnay went to Gippsland Wine Company for their 2023 Loch Chardonnay, while Silverwaters Vineyard won Best Pinot Noir with their 2023 Pinot Noir. Purple Hen Wines claimed the Best Shiraz accolade with their 2023 Shiraz, showcasing the strength of the region’s reds.
Lightfoot Wines’ strong showing included gold awards for their 2023 Myrtle Point Vineyard Chardonnay and Home Block Chardonnay, alongside recognition for their other wines such as the 2023 Myrtle Point Vineyard Shiraz. Lightfoot Wines also took home the trophy for Best Sweet White with their NV Darkfoot and received a Silver medal for the 2023 Minotaur Syrah Pinot Noir.
“We’re proud of how our wines performed, particularly in a year where the calibre of entries was so high,” Tom said.
“It’s exciting to see how each vintage and variety contributes to the rich tapestry of Gippsland wines. We’re honoured to be part of such a vibrant community and to share the spotlight with so many talented winemakers.”
The event was a celebration of Gippsland’s wine industry, bringing together producers and enthusiasts for an evening of awards and camaraderie. As the region continues to grow its reputation for high-quality wines, the Gippsland Wine Show remains a vital platform for winemakers to showcase their passion and dedication.
The success of Lightfoot Wines and other local producers is a promising sign for Gippsland’s wine future, reinforcing the region’s status as a destination for wine lovers.
