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Media Release

Thistle Hill wins Best Organic Wine in New South Wales

2009 Riesling wins new category for Best Organic Wine in prestigious NSW Wine Awards

October 20, 2009: Thistle Hill Vineyard last night received the much coveted award for the best organic wine at a gala presentation for the NSW Wine Awards, held at Catalina Restaurant in Sydney.

In an historic win, Thistle Hill won the inaugural award for the new category of Best Organic Wine of the Show. More than 800 wines were entered into the NSW Wine Show awards which showcases the best wineries and regions of New South Wales. Thistle Hill Vineyard was also awarded a bronze medal at the awards for its 2009 Chardonnay, as well as its Erudgere 2009 Shiraz Cabernet.  

Thistle Hill owner Rob Loughan said as a pioneering organic vineyard in Australia, Thistle Hill is renowned for producing first-class wines. “Drinking organic wine is an obvious choice; the organic viticulture process is better for the environment, it is better for your health, and it also tastes better as well. Gone are the days where people would associate organic wines with poor quality – organic wine is now recognised in a class of its own, and wine lovers are turning to choose organic because of its premium taste.   

“It is a huge milestone to have an organic wine award recognised in a highly competitive wine judging awards night, and we are delighted to add to our medal tally and include taking out the best organic wine in New South Wales.

“Earlier this year we also won the Best Organic Wine in Australia and New Zealand at the Organic Wine Show, so this is a tribute to the quality of our grapes, and taking a minimalistic approach to our winemaking. This win asserts out status as the best producer of organic wine in Australia, and this is something Thistle Hill will work tirelessly to maintain” he said.

NSW Wine Industry Association’s Mike O’Malley congratulated Thistle Hill on their win commenting that it’s a well deserved recognition of their long term vision to further the production of quality organic wine in the Mudgee Region. “It was pleasing to see Gil Wahlquist honoured at the NSW Wine Trophy Dinner as the recipient of the Graham Gregory Award and recognised as the ‘Godfather’ of Organic Wine in Australia. It’s equally pleasing to see new owners Rob & Mary Loughan take up the mantle at Thistle Hill and continue the Organic tradition pioneered by Gil in Mudgee. I’m confident we’ll continue to see some great organic Wines coming from the team at Thistle Hill” Mr. O’Malley said.  

Pioneering Mudgee organic vineyard and winery, Thistle Hill, has been organic since its inception in 1976.

The warm-climate 2009 Riesling is an impressive wine, which is ready to drink now. It can be purchased through www.thistlehill.com.au, or at Ultimo Wine Cellars, Sixty Darling St Fine Wines in Balmain, Cremorne Cellars and DVine Cellars in Wentworth Falls, Big Rig Diner in Darlinghurst, Arun Thai in Potts Point.

For more information or samples of the best wine of show, please contact:

Sally Robertson at Launch Group
0400 927 003
02 9270 0289