THE Highlands is a relatively new wine producing region, but 11 local producers have ranked among the best in the country in this year's James Halliday Wine Companion.
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In fact, two Highlands producers, Centennial Vineyards and Tertini Wines, have secured a much sought- after five-star rating afforded only to wineries that are considered outstanding and capable of producing a very high quality wine as well as at least two wines with a tasting score of 94 points or more.
The high accolades are nothing new for either Centennial Vineyard or Tertini Wines.
Centennial has secured a five-star rating several times, including last year. However, winemaker Tony Cosgriff has not taken the rating lightly, assuring that it is "not easy to continuously achieve such a high score".
"This is no fluke - we have to work hard for such a result. The quality of the grape growing is an important part of achieving this rating," he said.
Mr Cosgriff said he had been making wines since about 1995 and had produced many vintages.
He was constantly striving for the best results.
Tertini Wines moved into the five-star category for the first time in the Companion, but the rating comes hot on the heels of high praise from another leading Australian wine writer for the Sydney Morning Herald, Gourmet Traveller Wine and Decanter Magazine, Huon Hooke, who has recently made special mention of reislings and pinot noirs produced by Tertini.
Sales manager Robert Kay said Tertini Wines was committed to producing the best quality fruit possible at the Yaraandoo vineyard, with hand pruning, regular soil testing, careful canopy management, low cropping and hand picking.
"Then we hand over the fruit to our winemaker Jonathan Holgate with the expectation he will craft an award-winning wine, which he has done brilliantly and consistently," Mr Kay said.
The Highlands' oldest vineyards and winery, Joadja, has secured an impressive 4 star rating given to excellent wineries able to produce wines of a high to very high quality wine.
A five glass rating was also given to Joadja's Southern Highlands Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 while 4 glasses were given to the Southern Highlands Pinot Gris 2011 and Reserve Southern Highlands Malbec 2010 and four glasses to the Reserve Southern Highlands Fume Blanc 2010.
One of the region's smaller wine producers, Far Ago Hill Wines at Canyonleigh also received a 4 -star rating with five glasses awarded to The George Ellis Reserve Canyonleigh Pinot Gris 2010 and 4 glasses given to the Reserve Canyonleigh Pinot Gris 2011.
Cuttaway Hill Winery, on the outskirts of Mittagong, achieved four stars with a 4 -glass rating for its Southern Highlands Pinot Noir 2010 and four glasses for its Southern Highlands Sauvignon Blanc 2011, Southern Highlands Chardonnay 2010, Southern Highlands Merlot 2008 and Laurence Cuvee Prestige Brut Chardonnay Pinot Noir NV.
The Cuttaway Hill Southern Highlands Sauvignon Blanc 2011 was also highlighted as special value for money.
Capanno also secured a four-star rating and 4 glasses for its Single Vineyard Pinot Noir 2010 and Single Vineyard Pinot Gris 2011.
Other Highlands wines mentioned in the Companion were Cherry Tree Hill, Diamond Creek Estate and Pulpit Rock, each with 3 stars, while Bou-Saada and Meadowcroft Wines each secured a three-star rating.
Diamond Creek Estate was given a 4 -glass rating for its Reisling 2011 as well as a special value for money rating and four glasses for its Chardonnay 2010 and Cabernet Sauvignon 2009.
Cherry Tree Hill was given 4 glasses for its Sauvignon Blanc 2011 as well as a special value for money rating, and four glasses for its Chardonnay 2011 and Reisling 2011.
Meadowcroft received four glasses for its Southern Highlands Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 and Pulpit Rock received four glasses for its Southern Highlands Chardonnay 2010 and Southern Highlands Pinot Noir 2009.* Also see Southern Highlands wine among the nation's best
