Yerong Creek Estate's award winning wine

Local Winery Shows Great Spirit in Victory

RIVERINA boutique winery Yerong Creek Estate has won two prestigious wine industry awards with its first release fortified wine.

Rob and Julie Yates recently enjoyed a double celebration with their Spirit of Yerong port from the Estate's 2004 vintage.

Spirit of Yerong was awarded the industry's Winewise Magazine trophy for best fortified wine at the 2005 Winewise Small Vignerons Awards and a silver medal at the Cowra Wine Show.

"We're absolutely delighted," Yerong Creek Estate's Julie Yates said. "The hard work is paying off. Our wines are standing up against some very good labels at competition level."

Rob Yates said 2004 was a dry year and a decision was made not to harvest any chardonnay last year.

"The 2004 shiraz harvest was divided into two. We decided to make our first fortified wine and Spirit of Yerong was the result," Mr Yates said.

"This has proved to be a winner for us. The judges said they were impressed with the wine's freshness and fortifying spirit.

"The same wine won a silver medal at Cowra with 51 points out of 60. We are delighted with these results."

The Winewise awards attracted 1318 entries from 329 entrants.

"Wines were judged to the same exacting standards which apply at the highest level of wine show," Winewise editor Lester Jesberg said.

Yerong Creek Estate's previous success at Cowra was last year with a bronze medal for its sweet and fruity white wine, Sweet Katharina 2003.

The Cowra Wine Show, now in its 23rd year, is one of the largest national wine shows held in Australia , each year attracting top class judges from Australia and overseas.

Cowra also attracts many enthusiasts from all over the region and beyond for a public tasting which is held after the completion of all judging.