Top award for Yarra Valley chardonnay

Soumah Winery vigneron and owner, Brett Butcher, with the award-winning chardonnay. Picture: DEREK SCHLENNSTEDT 167273

By Derek Schlennstedt

Australia’s Fine Wine specialists, Vintage Cellars, has recognised 21 top performing Australian and International wines, whisky, spirits, craft beers, and ciders in its annual Best Of Award 2017.
Yarra Valley’s very own home-grown chardonnay – Soumah Hexham Chardonnay Yarra Valley – took out the title of best premium white in the Vintage Cellars ‘Best Of Awards’.
The award-winning product was chosen amongst the best home-grown and international white wine talent.
Now in its seventh year, the Best Of Awards are built on a tradition of celebrating excellence and innovation in winemaking, brewing and distilling.
Each award is judged by an experienced panel of wine, liquor and beverage experts, with each product being judged on quality and flavour, appearance, and value.
Owner and vigneron of Soumah, Brett Butcher, was thrilled to see the Soumah Hexham Chardonnay, created by winemaker Scott McCarthy, be a part of such a high calibre of winners, and said they celebrated the win with a glass of the award winning chardonnay.
“As soon as we found out we celebrated with a glass of chardonnay of course!
“It’s a real honour to win this award as the judges looking at all the wines have great palates, and we are very proud our wine has shown so well,” Brett said.
“At Soumah, we have set out from the very beginning in 2005 to set up our vineyards and winemaking philosophy as one that delivers elegance and finesse. Our winemaker Scott has a fine hand for chardonnay and his recipe is about absolute balance.”
In previous years, the chardonnay has received a number of awards and already has a few under its belt – including being awarded with the Best Chardonnay and the Best White Wine trophies at the 2015 Royal Sydney Wine Show.
You can taste some of the multi award winning tipple at Soumah located at 18 Hexham Road, Gruyere.