New releases showcase a new era for Fowles Wines

Fowles Wines pulled off a major coup when they signed up Matt Harrop as their chief winemaker late last year.

New Zealand-born Harrop is one of Australia's most talented winemakers, and a leading wine show judge.

He has worked at Rothbury Estate, Grosset, Brokenwood, Nautilus and Shadowfax and joined Fowles from Curly Flat Wines in the Macedon Ranges. He also has his own family wine label, Silent Way.

Harrop currently chairs the National Wine Show panel and has previously chaired the Melbourne Wine Show.

He has extensive experience working in climates and soils similar to those in Victoria's rocky Strathbogie Ranges, where Fowles is located.

"His expertise in cool-climate viticulture aligns perfectly with our vineyards in the Strathbogie Ranges," says Fowles Wines owner Matt Fowles.

"He is well positioned to drive our continued success."

Fowles has just released three impressive wines under its Stone Dwellers label, the first trio of wines in which Harrop played a role and finished prior to bottling.

 

The trio comprises the Fowles Stone Dwellers 2024 Arneis, 20124 Riesling and 2023 Sangiovese. All three are impressively cohesive, food friendly and offer excellent value with an RRP of $35.

While I enjoyed all three, the Arneis was my standout with its vibrancy, varietal character, structure and fruit-forward freshness. No oak, but lees treatment has added to the palate weight.

The Sangiovese is balanced, delightfully savoury and ready to enjoy immediately after being aged in almost neutral older French oak, while the Riesling is crisp, fresh, dry and versatile.

The future's so bright, they gotta wear shades.

See www.fowleswine.com

     

 

 

Top wine show morphs into mega festival

One of Australia’s leading wine shows is morphing into a four-day festival: the new National Wine Festival of Australia.

The event will be held in June, celebrating Australian winemaking excellence and marking the 50th anniversary of the National Wine Show of Australia.

The festival will begins with the 2025 National Wine Show of Australia trophy presentation dinner in the Great Hall of Australian Parliament House in Canberra on June 12. 

It will be followed by three days of wine tastings, masterclasses, themed dinners and special events at the Hyatt Hotel Canberra - A Park Hyatt Hotel.

More than 900 award-winning wines, including every entrant in the 2025 National Wine Show, will be opened for tasting during the festival [Warning wineries; they'll be asking you for more samples] for a premium masterclass featuring the trophy winners. 

National Wine Show chair of judges Matt Harrop will reveal what Australia’s best wine assessors look for in an award-winning wine and examine the characteristics that earned this year’s winners the nation’s top gongs.

Senator Don Farrell, Minister for Tourism and Trade, said the festival is well positioned to become a flagship event on the national calendar.

“Australian wine is one of our greatest tourism and trade assets, and I have no doubt that the festival will attract visitors from across the country and around the world," he said.

“The National Wine Festival will drive significant economic benefits while showcasing the innovation, excellence and diversity of Australian winemaking on a global stage.” 

National Wine Show of Australia Chair Andy Gregory said the festival would occupy a unique position in the tourism landscape. 

“It is the only true representation of every Australian winegrowing region - a one-stop shop to taste and learn about the very best of Australian wine,” Gregory said.

“We see the National Wine Festival as a powerful platform on which to strengthen Australia’s global reputation as a world-class wine producer. It’s a natural evolution of the National Wine Show in our 50th year.”

Tickets are on sale now at https://nationalwinefestival.iwannaticket.com.au/