'Best of the best' Victorian wine awarded twice

The Victorian Government is celebrating some of Victoria’s most exciting winemakers at this year’s Victorian Wine Show — with both the Premier’s Trophy and Premier’s Choice Award being awarded to the same wine for the first time at these awards.

The Premier’s Trophy recognises the ‘best of the best’ in Victorian wine, with the champion selected from the winners of Victoria’s regional wine shows. A panel of industry experts including winemakers and sommeliers awarded the trophy to Adrian Rodda from A. Rodda Wines for the 2023 Baxendale Chardonnay. The Premier also selected the 2023 Baxendale Chardonnay by A. Rodda Wines as the recipient of the Premier’s Choice Award. 

Based in Beechworth, Adrian is something of a chardonnay specialist, having worked with Dave Bicknell at Oakridge for more than a decade. The grapes for the winning wine were sourced from Baxendale Vineyard at Whitlands, in the King Valley, which were planted in 1995 in tertiary volcanic soils over rhyolite at 600 metres above sea level.

“Victoria is home to some of the finest winemakers, producing world-class wines that showcase local craftsmanship, strengthen the economy, create jobs, and position the state as the Australian leader of premium, homegrown wine,” said Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan.

The Victorian Government is backing the wine industry through market development programs including the $4.5 million Wine to the World export program. It is also working closely with industry to capture new opportunities as part of the Victorian Wine Strategy, which is set to be launched later in 2025.

The strategy has been co-designed with the Victorian wine industry, following extensive industry engagement in 2024–25. It focuses on improving domestic and international trade, innovation and sustainability, tourism, and people and community.

Image credit: iStock.com/SrdjanPav