News

1 October 2003

Domestic distribution changes on 1 October 2003 to Distinguished Vineyards

Old Block Shiraz along with the rest of the St Hallett range of Barossa wines are now distributed by their extended family - Distinguished Vineyards. Download presenter [740 Kb PDF file].

September 2003

St Hallett GST Wine of the Year

St Hallett winemakers Stuart Blackwell and Matt Gant have walked away winners at the 2003 Hyatt Advertiser South Australia Wine of the Year Awards. 2002 St Hallett GST, an innovative blend of Grenache Shiraz and Touriga, which was launched in May this year picked up Trophies for 'Best Other Blend' in the winemakers choice category and the enviable trophy of the show - 2003 Hyatt Advertiser 'Wine of the Year' (across all categories). Download presenter [1 Mb PDF file].

May 2003

St Hallett Launches "GST" (Grenache Shiraz Touriga) to Australia

The wine that:

has GOOD texture and differentiated flavours

SERVICES those who are inquisitive and appreciative

is not TAXING on the palate...

but that is only 10% of the story.

Discover more here..... Download the GST Presenter Sheet (935 Kb PDF file)

March 2003

Stuart Blackwell of St Hallett
awarded 2003 Barossa Winemaker of the Year

This week, indeed this year Stuart Blackwell is celebrating, at the traditional 'Declaration of the Vintage' on 16th February he was appointed 2003 Barossa Winemaker of the Year.

For 7 years the wine fraternity and most decidedly the 'Barons of the Barossa' have acknowledged the outstanding achievements of one of the Barossa winemaking fraternity through the appointment of the 'Barossa Winemaker of the Year'. In a region which has more than its fair share of outstanding winemakers of world-acclaim, the process of being nominated by your peers and then ultimately anointed by the Barons is no mean feat.

Stuart's winemaking career stretches back 32 years and despite an early stint winemaking at St Hallett in the seventies, it was not until after a period of winemaking abroad that he came to permanently settle at St Hallett in 1984. Since then Stuart has established St Hallett Shiraz as quintessential Barossa. Today not only has Old Block Shiraz become an iconic Barossa Shiraz but it is flanked by Faith Shiraz and Blackwell Shiraz which together reflect the spectrum and potential of this variety in the Valley. Meanwhile most recently the 2002 St Hallett Eden Valley Riesling won the Trophy for Best Wine at the Barossa Show (a 'first' for a white wine), and today was awarded the 'Trophy for Best 2002 Riesling' and 'Trophy for Best Riesling of Australia and New Zealand' in the prestigious 2003 Hyatt National Riesling Challenge. These outstanding achievements go hand in hand with an ongoing dedication and commitment to the Barossa most recently in Stuart chairing the Barossa Wine Show Committee for the past three years.

Looking back on when he first started at St Hallett Stuart recalls 'I was inspired and yet in awe of this tight-knit winemaking community in the Barossa, I thought it would take a lifetime to be accepted. I am delighted and honoured by this award and most especially to have been voted by my peers and the Barons.'

Stuart's appointment as 2003 Barossa Winemaker of the year, this week coincides with the launch of the eponymous 2001 St Hallett Blackwell Semillon.

Friday September 27, 2002

St Hallett 2002 Eden Valley Riesling Triumphs at the Barossa Wine Show

A five-year Riesling development program has yielded St Hallett Wines the top trophy at the prestigious Barossa Wine Show this year. The winery, which is better known for its big Shiraz styles, not only ran away with trophies for Best Riesling and Best White Wine of the Show but also the coveted Malaysia Airlines trophy for The Most Outstanding Wine of the Show with the St Hallett 2002 Eden Valley Riesling.

St Hallett Chief Winemaker Stuart Blackwell said the win was a vindication of the team effort and close relationship with three Eden Valley growers: the Fechners, Woodmans and Deverells. The age of the vines range from 30 years at Fechners vineyard to over 80 years at Deverell vineyard adding great complexity to the wine.

"Making a Riesling of this quality requires premium quality fruit, and these old vineyards provided the same sort of consistent quality that our old Shiraz vineyards do," Stuart said.

"There has been lots of attention to detail in developing our Rieslings at St Hallett - from the vineyard where canopy management and fruit handling are carefully monitored to the pressing and composition of the blend. Also the cool but even ripening climate this year shows through in the structure of the wine."

St Hallett was due for a major win, having picked up best white wine in the Barossa in 1997 (with their 1997 Riesling) and in 1998 (with a 1998 Semillon), and scoring numerous trophy wins around the country. The 2002, which will not be released until December, has already won four silvers in Australian shows this year.

St Hallett's Bob McLean said it was a fantastic birthday present. "I've won an America's Cup, a Crow's Grand Final and now a Barossa Wine Show on my birthday," he quipped.

"This supports our lifelong project to always have been totally committed to Barossa - her fruit and her wine styles. We've been dedicated to being a benchmark wine producer of the Barossa where we truly reflect the taste of the grapes from the soil - and this has now been recognised by our peers."

Malaysian Airlines will fly St Hallett's white winemaker Di Ferguson to an overseas destination of her choice as the prize for winning the trophy but not tonight - she is expecting to give birth to her first child tomorrow!