News...
Another Trophy Swings Our Way
Following on from the recent success at the NSW Wine Awards, Swinging Bridge has taken a top prize at The Royal Melbourne Wine Show, one of Australia’s largest and most prestigious wine shows. The annual awards are recognised by the wine producers as an important national competition in which to benchmark their produce.The Visy Single Vineyard Trophy Royal Melbourne Wine Show 2008 was awarded Swinging Bridge 2007 Chardonnay. Our wine shared the equal highest score across all the wines at the show. The Single Vineyard Trophy is awarded to acknowledge wine makers who are producing handcrafted wines. This exciting class recognises wines which express the virtues of their site and show the vagaries of the vintage. They are wines that can test the winemaker’s skills and are often the wines of small winemakers.
With over 3500 entries this year, we were extremely proud to have collected a trophy. Being a small producer of 15 tonnes (850 cases) probably makes it even more significant. If you would like to see the results click here....
Winning the trophy for single vineyard wine also gives great recognition to the site of the vineyard and winemaking. We have tried to make a wine that reflects the environment that it is produced in.
To purchase this award winning wine click here...
and others agree....
Nick Butler - Union Bank Wine Store 17/11/08
"We’ve known for some time that the Central Ranges can produce world class wines of finesse and purity….and now it appears it is being appreciated by the nation’s finest Wine Judges.
The Ward family of Swinging Bridge Wines in Canowindra must be over the moon.
In the space of 6 weeks, they’ve picked up the NSW Red Wine of the Year with their 2007 Estate Shiraz, and last Friday night it was announced their 2007 Estate Chardonnay collected the trophy for the Best Single Vineyard Wine at the Royal Melbourne Show – arguably the nation’s most prestigious wine show with over 3,500 wines entered.
Vignerons and Winemakers dream of winning just one of these accolades in their lifetime…but to wine both awards (for different wines) in such a short time-frame is the vinous equivalent of winning both the 100m and the Marathon at the same Olympics.
Perhaps the most impressive aspect of the success is that the Wards have not rushed to raise their prices to “cash in” on the recognition. With a long-term plan for the Brands, prices remain extremely affordable."
Swinging Bridge Celebrates 2008 NSW Wine Awards Trophy
Swinging Bridge Estate is celebrating winning the Trophy for the Best Young Red (Shiraz) at the NSW Wine Awards with its 2007 Shiraz. It was also the Best Red Wine of the Show and was only just beaten across the line for NSW Wine of the Year by the Audrey Wilkinson Reserve Semillon 2006 from the Hunter Valley.
Tom Ward receiving the Trophy for Best Young Red
at the 2008 NSW Wine Awards
Swinging Bridge’s winemaker/viticulturalist Tom Ward said ‘It was fantastic for our wine to be in contention against wines and winemakers that you have always looked at in awe, such as Shaw Vineyard Estate, De Bortoli Wines, De Iuliis Wines and McWilliams. To beat them however exceeded our highest expectations.’
To purchase this award winning wine click here...
To find out about Swinging Bridge's other recent awards click here...
2008 NSW Wine Awards Trophy Winners Announced
The quest to find the best NSW Wine is nearly over! The Trophy Winners of the 2008 NSW Wine Awards have been revealed and it’s only a few days before the 2008 NSW Wine of the Year is announced next Tuesday at the Black Tie Gala NSW Wine Awards Presentation Dinner at Coast Restaurant, Sydney. The tension is building as the time nears for the announcement of the most coveted award in NSW Wine – who will be the NSW Wine of the Year?!
The 2008 NSW Wine Awards Trophy Winners and contenders for the 2008 NSW Wine of Year are:
- Trophy Best Young Dry White (other varieties & blends)
2008 Chalker’s Crossing Hilltops Riesling RRP: $50 - Trevor Drayton Trophy Best Young Dry White (Semillon)
2006 Audrey Wilkinson Hunter Valley Museum Reserve Semillon RRP: $50 - Trophy Best Young Dry White (Chardonnay)
2007 Mistletoe Hunter Valley Reserve Chardonnay RRP: $25 - Trophy Best Mature Dry White
2001 Coolangatta Estate Shoalhaven Semillon RRP: $35 - Trophy Best Young Dry Red (Shiraz)
2007 Swinging Bridge Cowra Shiraz RRP: $19 - Trophy Best Sparkling
2002 Warraroong Estate Hunter Valley Claremont Sparkling RRP: $45 - Trophy Best Sweet White
2006 Westend Estate 3 Bridges Riverina Golden Mist Botrytis Semillon RRP: $22
The arduous task of identifying the 2008 NSW Wine of the Year involved 23 highly qualified judges over two days Chaired by Lester Jesberg, and ably assisted by Huon Hooke, grueling over 800+ entries to find firstly the NSW Top 40 Wines. Then from that top crop the Trophy Winners and finally, the 2008 NSW Wine of the Year.
The 2008 NSW Wine of the Year and Trophy Winners will be presented at the Gala Presentation Dinner next Tuesday night, 21st October 2008. Special guests, including the Honourable Ian Macdonald MLC, and MC - Qantas Business Radio host Peter Switzer; will be joined by the who’s who of the wine industry as they gather in support of NSW Wine’s campaign to drive support and awareness for NSW Wine.
The next day at NSW Wine @ Wharf 8, Sydney-siders will for the first time have the rare opportunity to taste the NSW Wine of the Year, Trophy Winners and Top 40 Wines plus more than 50 NSW wineries from all 14 NSW wine regions under one roof. This is a unique opportunity to taste the best wines of NSW, talk to the winemakers and discover the diversity of NSW wine regions.
NSW Wine Media Release - October 17 2008
Latest Reviews of the Swinging Bridge 2007 Shiraz
Sydney Morning Herald (Good Living - 21 Oct 2008) - NSW Wine Awards Report
"one of the biggest surprises of the show, a Shiraz from Cowra, not only won a gold medal and made the Top 40 but was voted best red of the show. It is the 07 Swinging Bridge Shiraz, a smoothly balanced drop that combines spicy flavours and elegance with fully ripe richness"
Huon Hooke
To read the full article download the 
PDF here...
The Wine Front - Independent Wine Journalism
Swinging Bridge Canowindra Shiraz 2007
"This wine won the Best Young Dry Red Trophy at the 2008 NSW Wine Awards. Smells and tastes distinctive. Full of solid, extractive flavour with rich characters of bitumen, blackberry, molassis and malt. Lots of velvety tannin and an aftertaste that suggests flavours like iron and rust and rocks. Hard-rocking, warm-chiselled, structured shiraz. It’s of excellent quality....."
Rated : 91 Points
Alcohol : 14.8%
Closure : Screwcap
Drink : 2010 - 2015
Campbell Mattinson
To view The Wine Front online click here...
The KROW (Key Review of Wine) Issue 15
Swinging Bridge Cowra Shiraz 2007
"Gentle on the nose, faint wafts of fruit and herbs; but that rapidly changes as it hits the palate…it sits rather solid at first. Fortunately it unfurl its flavours and starts its journey getting into full stride in the middle and ending very well; bags of charm."
91 points and very good value
Tony Keys
To view the KROW online click here...
Two Years in a Row for Swinging Bridge @ NSW Wine Awards
Forget the Grand Finals, Australian Idol or Dancing with the Stars. After the success of the Swinging Bridge 2006 Chardonnay at last years NSW Wine Awards, we are thrilled to repeat the performance this year with our 2007 Shiraz which has made the Top 40 Wines of NSW. This puts us in contention for NSW Wine of the Year and the Trophy for Best Young Shiraz, to be announced at the Presentation Dinner on the 21st October.
Next week the NSW Wine Industry Association is hosting a program of events surrounding the 2008 NSW Wine Awards to promote NSW wines to media and wine lovers.
The highlight of this program is a unique and exciting Press, Trade and Consumer expo on Wednesday 22 October - "NSW Wine @ Wharf 8".
Come and taste the 2008 NSW Wine Awards Wine of the Year, Trophy Winners, Top 40 Wines and 45+ wineries from all 14 NSW Wine Regions.
To find out about any of the events click on the links below:
2008 Awards Trophy Presentation Dinner
Coast Restaurant, Cockle Bay
Tuesday, 21st October 2008
7.00pm
NSW Wine @ Wharf 8 Press & Trade Day
Wharf 8, 53-59 Hicksons Rd, The Rocks
Wednesday, 22nd October 2008
11.00am - 4.30pm
Registration Required to register click here...
NSW Wine @ Wharf 8 Consumer Wine Tasting
Wharf 8, 53-59 Hicksons Rd, The Rocks
Wednesday, 22nd October 2008
5.30pm - 8.30pm
Tickets = $35 (including all wine tasting, NSW Wine glass and gourmet cheese to match the wines)
To purchase a ticket click here...
To view the list of Top 40 Wines of NSW click here...
Keep your eye on the Good Living section of the Sydney Morning Herald in the coming weeks and months as they feature the Top 40 Wines of NSW.
Thanks to all who attended the "Vinum Ostendo" Luncheon
On a great weekend for Swinging Bridge at the Cowra Wine Show we had our first "Vinum Ostendo" Luncheon. The event sold out with 85 keen wine connoisseurs attending. Thanks must go to The Quarry for hosting us and Nick Butler from the Union Bank Wine Store for his Q & A session. We had a hugely positve response and will definitely be making this a yearly event featuring interesting guest speakers and helping you to get the best out of your wine show experience. Look forward to seeing everyone again next year.
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For those that want a reminder here is Tom Ward's Top 10 Wine Show Selection of Non Gold Awarded wines that are worth looking at:
Class 19 No 16 Barringwood Park Pinot Noir 2007
Class 28 No 14 Thomas Wines Braemore Semillon 2004
Class 33 No 126 Mount Langi Ghiran Billi Billi Shiraz 2006
Class 38 No 20 Millamolong Estate 26 Ponies Chardonnay 2007
Class 38 No 41 Capercallie Wine Co Cullin Chardonnay 2007
Class 38 No 65 Miseltoe Reserve Chardonnay 2007
Class 44 No 15 Mulyan Viognier 2007
Class 63 No 23 Paringa Estate Pinot Noir 2007
Class 71 No 19 Majella Cabernet Sauvignon 2006
Class 78 No 4 McLaren Vale Premium Wines lll Associates Squid Ink 2006
Any Fortified that has the name Morris Wines in front of it!!!!
Cowra winemakers united with trophies and gold
Cowra winemakers are celebrating its best ever result at the 26th annual Cowra Wine Show which saw 2590 entries from 461 wineries.
With a history of producing great Chardonnay, it was fitting that a gold medal (top of class) and ‘The Ian Armstrong Trophy for Best Chardonnay of the Show’ was awarded to a Cowra wine, the 2006 Spring Ridge Cowra Chardonnay.
“We have been producing small batches of Chardonnay since 1997, and to get this recognition, especially within the forum of an open show such as Cowra, is fantastic,” commented owner Peter Jeffery.
Two other gold medals were awarded to Cowra wines, including the 2007 Mulyan Cowra Shiraz (top of class) and the 2007 Swinging Bridge Cowra Shiraz.
Daily Wine News 6/8/08
To read more click here...
"Simply the Best"
Cowra Region Vineyard Association is celebrating its best results ever at the Cowra Wine Show following the twenty-sixth annual show in Cowra last week. President of the Association, Tom Ward of Swinging Bridge Wines said the marked improvement in local wines is excellent and is just reward for the work being done in the region’s vineyards.
New Zealand-based judge, Simon Nunns at the Cowra Wine Show
Cowra wines were awarded a trophy for the Best Chardonnay of the Show, three gold medals, two of which were top of their classes, two silver medals and eighteen bronze medals.
“It is wonderful to see many grape varieties collecting medals, indicating the region can produce wine that is as good as any in Australia.” Tom said.
Swinging Bridge won a gold medal with their Shiraz 2007 in Class 66 and two bronze medals with their Chardonnay 2007 and Shiraz 2004.
Cowra Guardian 1/8/08
To read more click here...
Winestate Magazine Regional Tasting reviews
The recent regional tasting reviews for Mudgee, South Central NSW & ACT are in the May/June edition of Winestate. "Three-, four- and five star ratings are signs of excellence in fruit quality and winemaking skill. All wines are judged blind by wine industry professionals and are compared in peer classes by three judges."
With 141 wines tasted the reviewers stated - "an exciting line-up from cooler regions to the west and south of Sydney, along with the wines from the Canberra district. These offer lovely crisp to rich styles acroos the gamut of flavours, reflecting the variance of micro-climates involved. An exploration in wine!"
Swinging Bridge wines performed well across our range:
Swinging Bridge 2007 Rosé - 4 stars top of range "a vibrant red wine with a nose that sings of raspberries and cherries. Cool fruit, some sugar, good length and an endless finish. Very well-made wine."
Swinging Bridge 2007 Chardonnay - 3 stars "a savuory, nutty, restrained style. Some new wood on the nose, with tropical flavours tempered by oak."
Swinging Bridge 2006 Shiraz - 3.5 stars "smells like an olive tapenade. Dry and savoury in the mouth, very youthful, with rich flavours. Described as a sleeper."
Swinging Bridge performs at the Cowra Region Wine Awards
Congratulations to Tom Ward and Chris Derrez (Swinging Bridge winemakers) as our wines continue to perform strongly on the Wine Show circuit. Building on recent success Swinging Bridge won 1 Silver Medal and 5 Bronze Medals at the recent Cowra Region Wine Awards.
Peter Kennedy of The Falls with Cowra Region
Vineyard Association president and
Swinging Bridge Winemaker Tom Ward
Tom was Master of Ceremonies for the Awards Dinner which is fast becoming a must attend event for the local area. He stated "the Cowra Region as a whole performed extremely well with quality across the board continuing to improve, placing Cowra wines firmly on the map. It was great to see all the wineries continue to support the awards and the locals pick up on this enthusiasm in attending the event. We hope in the continuing years to see more visitors attend, to show them the quality and diversity of Cowra Region wines. (see story below)
Region toasts wine winners
Despite drought conditions the Cowra region is continuing to produce high standard wines.
According to the judges at last week’s Cowra Region Vineyard Association wine awards, the standard of the local wines is increasing.
Only one gold medal was awarded at the show, to the Mulyan Viognier 2007, which received the Cowra Guardian Trophy for the Best White Wine of the Show.
Judges for the Suncorp Cowra Region Wine Awards were Russell Cody, Chief winemaker at McWilliams, Griffith, Nick Bulleid MW, lecturer at Charles Sturt University and wine writer, and Len Sorbello of Winewise Magazine.
To read more click here...
Canowindra News, Monday, 16th April 2008
Inaugural Swinging Bridge Wine Dinner an outstanding success
The first Swinging Bridge Wine Dinner took place at Restaurant elio early in March. The night was a huge success and was booked out well in advance. Our guests were treated to a combination of Italian regional food from Umbria and beautiful wines from the Central Ranges. We have been fielding requests for a follow up dinner, so stayed tuned for details.
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It's all about style
This month the 2006 Swinging Bridge Chardonnay is the feature wine in style magazine. style is a bi-monthly glossy lifestyle magazine targeted at the intelligent modern women living in country NSW, focusing not only on beauty and fashion, but on the important issues affecting women in regional areas with features and profiles on their lifestyles, experiences and aspirations.
To read the review click here....
and see the article on Tom, Georgie and family click here....
To read other recent press about the 2006 Chardonnay on the "decanted" website click here....
New Identity for New South Wales Wine
The NSW wine industry is embarking on its first collaborative marketing campaign in 120 years as it seeks to raise awareness of the State’s wines amongst consumers.
Spearheading the industry’s collective marketing strategy is the launch of the new brand New South Wales Wine. The NSW Wine Industry Association (NSWWIA) said the aim is to cement NSW Wine in the consumer’s mind as home to some of Australia’s leading wines from 14 diverse wine regions and tell the stories of these regions and the personalities behind them.
NSWWIA president David Lowe said NSW wine accounted for only 13% of wine sold in the state’s restaurants and that most wine consumers could not name more than two to three NSW wine regions despite the state producing 34% of Australia’s wine.
He said the new identity and strategy gave NSW Wine the platform to successfully and uniformly promote itself firstly to NSW, then the world.
The strategy includes the launch of the brand identity, promotion of 14 diverse NSW wine regions and their varietal heroes, NSW Wine Week in March and the launch of the revamped NSW Wine Awards in October.
To view to new NSW Wine website and to find out about all the upcoming events click here....
Read the recent press releases from NSW Wine:
New Identity for New South Wales Wines
NSW Wines - Suprising Diversity of Regions (NSW Wine Regions and their Varietal Heroes)
Glebe Point Diner now serving Swinging Bridge 2006 Chardonnay
The Glebe Point Diner is one of Sydney's finest restaurants recently receiving one chef hat in the prestigious 2008 Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide. They are now serving Swinging Bridge 2006 Chardonnay to compliment chef Alex Kearns' "simple, soulful, reassuring dishes that draw us closer to the earth they - and we - came from" (SMH Review 2/7/07)
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Address: 407 Glebe Point Rd, Glebe
Phone: (02) 9660 2646
Hours: Lunch Thu-Fri noon-2pm, Sat noon-2.30pm, Sun noon-3pm; Dinner Wed-Thu, 6-8.30pm; Fri-Sat, 6-9.30pm
Read the reviews:
- Sydney Morning Herald review click here.....
- Daily Telegraph review click here....
- YourRestuarant.com.au review click here.....
Swinging Bridge now available at Onesta Cucina
The highly recommended Onesta Cucina is Bowral’s newest Italian restaurant. Owned and run by Luke and Gemma Latimer, it boasts a newly refurbished premises and a sundrenched courtyard area taking full advantage of the beautiful Highland views. The award winning Swinging Bridge 2006 Chardonnay and 2005 Shiraz are now available on the wine list to accompany your perfect Italian meal.
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"Forget flashy designers and slick finishes, Onesta is about the food. From modest Bowral digs, Latimer produces food from sun-up to sundown that'll make you heart
sing. For dessert, head straight for the house-made soft-centred chocolate tortino.
You won't regret it." Anthea Loucas, Gourment Traveller 2007 Australian Restaurant Guide.
Address: Shop 2, The Penders, Wingecarribee St, Bowral
Phone: (02) 4861 6620
Hours: Breakfast; Thurs–Sun, Lunch; Tues–Sun Dinner; Wed-Sat.
Bookings recommended for dinner and weekend lunch.
**Luke has been kind enough to contribute a recipe to our new Food & Wine page. To find out the secrets of his Seared Dory Salad with Asparagus, Broad Bean, Leek & Lemon click here....
Swinging Bridge contributes to the Cowra Sustainable Wine Partnership
The partnership has been developed over a 12 month period and is a practical guide for growers and friends in the region to reduce their impact on the environment while improving wine quality. The partnership brings together government and private organisations. The Cowra Region Vineyards Association (CRVA) has developed a simple vision:
"To produce wines of regional character with the least environmental impact of any wine region in Australia."
Federal Member John Cobb, CRVA President Tom Ward, local conservationist
Guy Fitzharding launch the Cowra Sustainable Wine Partnership
Local grower Mr. Tom Ward describes the response of the CRVA members as being unanimous.
“The drivers of the plan are all young players in the industry; the average age of the driving group is around 35. We are thinking about how to change and adapt to our circumstances and how to make the most out of the tough conditions. We are all here for the long term and this partnership is to help us ensure that happens,” Mr Ward said.
To read more click here...
To download a copy of the Cowra Sustainable Wine Partnership click here...
Good morning, Mr President
Congratulations to Tom Ward of Swinging Bridge Estate on his recent appointment as the President of the Cowra Wine Region. Tom reports they have many exciting things happening over the next couple of years. The main one being the Cowra Sustainable Wine Partnerships which is the development of the environmental policy for the local vineyards. Tom plans to continue the growing reputation of the Cowra Region for producing quality wines and as a highly successful grape growing region.
Successful night at the NSW Top 40 Wines Tasting @ Bungalow 8
What a great night for all that attended Bungalow 8 for the NSW Top 40 tasting. It was good to see so many friendly faces and meet and introduce Swinging Bridge to a whole new audience. Swinging Bridge would like to thank Shorty's Liquor and Bungalow 8 for their support in hosting what is sure to be an increasingly popular event in years to come.
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Tom and Will Ward introducing guests to the finer points of Swinging Bridge at the Bungalow 8 tasting.
Recent Press
Cowra Guardian, 15 October 2007
"Cheers to our top drop"
Two Cowra region wines have been listed in the top 40 wines in contention for the NSW Wine Awards.
Mulyan’s James Fagan and Swinging Bridge winemaker
Tom Ward with their wines which are in the running for NSW Wine of the Year.
The Swinging Bridge Estate 2006 chardonnay and the Mulyan Block 9 2005 shiraz viognier are in the running NSW Wine of the Year, which will be announced at a dinner in Sydney on October 24.
To read more click here...
Swinging Bridge in NSW Top 40 Wines
We are very proud to announce that the 2006 Swinging Bridge Chardonnay has been selected in the New South Wales Wine Industry Association - Top 40 Wines.
It was one of five Chardonnays to make the top 40. The trophies will be
announced at a function to be held at Hotel InterContinental on Wednesday
24th October.
Swinging Bridge was one of 10 wines to be selected from the Central Ranges
which has shown that it is now more than just an up and coming region.
