Corks have been popped and the judges have made their decisions - the Cowra Wine Show is complete with the award and trophy winners named.
Working at the Cowra Wine Show and Single Vineyard Wine Show, Col Ridding said "To me it shows how fair the judging process is, judges don't see any bottles; they just get the wine in a glass."
Judges then call back the wines they may have thought were the best for review. Again, the bottle numbers are randomised so not even the same numbers appear more than once. Conferring with their chief judge, the best wines in each class are then decided.
Mr Ridding said "When you're stewarding for judges it can be hard to keep track of everything, but you see the results - you'll find that a great many wines that are not expensive that are judged very highly. It gives me a lot of faith in the process."
Trophy winners were recognised at the Cowra Wine Show presentation dinner on Saturday, August 10.
Most Successful Exhibitor was won by De Bortoli Wines, winning both Best Sweet Wine Wine for their 2021 Noble One Semillon, and scoring highly across other varietals.
With food provided by Oak On Kendall, guests were treated to chef James Vidulich's team of staff keeping guests fed, with the carefully matched food paired with the most suitable glasses.
Chief Steward Cr. Paul Smith expressed his thanks to many volunteers who spent hours assembling the show and serving patrons.
Wine Show trophy winners
Ian Armstrong Trophy for best chardonnay sponsored by Cowra Show Society, won by Sidewood Estate's Signature Owen's Chardonnay 2022.
Cowra Shire Trophy for best Riesling sponsored by Cowra Shire Council, won by Robert Stein's 2024 Dry Riesling.
The Manildra Group Trophy for best Semillon sponsored by Manildra Group, won by Tyrell's Vineyard's 2017 Semillon Vat 1.
The Chernco Trophy for the best dry white wine other variety sponsored by Mark Rankin, won by Yeates Wines for its 2024 Albarino.
The Garden and Montgomerie Trophy for the best dry white table wine, sponsored by Garden and Montgomerie Solicitors, won by Robert Stein for its 2024 Dry Riesling.
The Cowra Shire Council Trophy for best sweet white wine, sponsored by Cowra Shire Council, won by De Bortoli Wines for its 2021 Noble One Semillon.
The Breakout River Trophy for the best Cabernet Sauvignon sponsored by Chris Cummins, won by Aldi Stores. for its Blackstone Paddock 2022 Margaret River.
The Flannery McCormick Trophy for the best Pinot Noir sponsored by Michael and Prue Flannery and Tony and Jane McCormick, won by Milton Vineyard for its 2023 Pinot Noir.
Club Cowra Trophy for best Shiraz sponsored by Club Cowra, won by Jim Barry Wines for its Jim Barry Wines and Sons Shiraz 2021.
The Chambers Trophy for best dry red, other variety sponsored by Kit and Di Chambers, won by Mercer Wines for its 2023 Malbec.
The Imperial Hotel Trophy for best dry red blend, sponsored by Richard Morgan, won by Majella Wines for its Majjella Wines 2022 The Musician by Majella Cab Sauv Shiraz.
The Benedict Cowra Quartz Trophy for best dry red table wine, sponsored by Benedict Quartz, won by Jim Barry Wines for its Jim Barry Wines and Son Shiraz 2021.
The Mulyan Trophy for best sparkling wine, sponsored by Peter and Jenni Fagan, won by Twin Valleys Wine Company for its 2023 Proseco.
The Barbara Wright Memorial Trophy for best fortified wine, sponsored by Cowra Medical Associates, won by Cassella Family Brands for its Morris Wines NV OIld Premium Rare Muscat.
Most successful exhibitors, sponsored by the late Ian Armstrong OBE and Mrs Jenny Armstrong, won by DeBortoli Wines.
The Cowra Machinery Centre Trophy for Best Rose, was won but not awarded.
The Cowra Show Society Trophy for best dry white blend, was won but not awarded.
Single Vineyard Wine Show trophy winners
The Jeffrey Trophy for best single vineyard chardonnay, sponsored by Peter and Anne Jeffery, won by Sidewood Estate for its Sidewood Signature Owen's Chardonnay 2022.
The Cellabrations of Cowra Trophy for the best single vineyard Riesling sponsored by Paul Heilman, won by Robert Stein Winery for its 2024 dry Riesling.
The Fleming Trophy for best single vineyard Semillon sponsored by Justin Fleming, won by Tyrrell's Vineyard for itsd Pokolbin Hills Semillon 2019.
The Cowra Council Trophy for best single vineyard other white varieties sponsored by Cowra Council, won by Warrabilla Wines for its 2024 Small Batch Grenache Blanc.
The Cowra Machinery Centre Trophy for the best sweet white wine sponsored by Cowra Machinery Centre, won by LillyPilly Estate Wines for its Lillypilly 2021 Noble Blend.
Club Cowra Trophy for best single vineyard dry white table wine sponsored by Club Cowra won by Sidewood Estate for its Sidewood Signature Owen's Chardonnay 2022.
The Riedel Trophy for Viticulturalist or grower of the best single vineyard white wine sponsored by Riedel Australia, won by Mark Vella and Peter McIntyre for Sidewood Signature Owen's Chardonnay 2022.
The Cowra Show Society Trophy for the best single vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon sponsored by Cowra Show Society, won but not awarded.
The Fagan Trophy for best single vineyard Pinot Noir sponsored by Peter and Jenni Fagan, won by Milton Vineyard for its Milton Vineyard 2023 Pinot Noir.
The Benedict Cowra Quartz Trophy for the single vineyard best Shriaz sponsored by Benedict Quartz, won by Krinklewood Estate for its Kinklewood 2023 Wild Shiraz.
The Central Milling Trophy for the best single vineyard red other variety, sponsored by Ben Casey won by the Obsessionist for its 2022 Malbec.
The Allan Pearce Trophy for the best single vineyard red blend sponsored by Alan Pearce, won by Windance Estate WA for its 2023 Cabernet Merlot.
The Morgan Insurance Group Trophy for best single vineyard red table wine sponsored by Jim Morgan won by Milton Vineyard for its 2023 Pinot Noir.
The Reidel Trophy for Viticulturalist or grower of the best single vineyard red wine sponsored by Riedel, won by Robert Elliot for the Milton Vineyard 2023 Pinot Noir.
The Cowra Show Society Trophy for best single vineyard sparkling white or pink bottle fermented dry win, won but not awarded.
The Most Successful Exhibitor sponsored by the late Ian Armstrong AM OBE and Mrs Jenny Armstrong won by Tyrell's Vineyards.
Travel awards for the best single vineyard white table wine anonymously sponsored won by Sidewood Estate for its Signature Owen's Chardonnay 2022.
Best single vineyard red table wine, won by Milton Vineyard for its 2023 Pinot Noir.