Two of Langhorne Creek’s most renowned family-owned wineries were honored at the 2025 Langhorne Creek Wine Show, with Bremerton Wines claiming the prestigious Champion Wine of Show award and Lake Breeze Wines recognized as Producer of the Year and Grape Grower of the Year.
Bremerton Wines, led by sisters Rebecca and Lucy Willson, earned top honors with their 2023 Coulthard Cabernet Sauvignon, which not only won the Best Cabernet Sauvignon trophy but was also named Champion Wine of Show. In addition, for the second consecutive year, Rebecca Willson’s 2022 Special Release Graciano was awarded the trophy for Best Red or White Wine Made from Alternative Varieties.
Lake Breeze Wines, under the stewardship of winemaker Greg Follett, garnered six trophies, including the coveted Producer of the Year award. Tim Follett, vineyard manager at Lake Breeze, was also named Grape Grower of the Year in recognition of his significant contributions to the Langhorne Creek region. The winery’s other accolades included the Best Sparkling Wine, White Wine or Rosé trophy for the 2024 Pecorino, the Best Blended Red Wine trophy for the 2023 Arthur’s Reserve Cabernet Malbec, the Best Shiraz trophy for the 2023 Section 54 Shiraz, the Best Malbec trophy for the 2022 Malbec, and the Best Museum or Fortified Wine trophy for the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon.
The judging panel for this year’s event was chaired by Sue Bell, who was joined by wine writer Jane Faulkner, Greg Clack from XO Wine Co, and associate judges Alexandra Alavoine from Kirrihill Wines and Brett Woodward from Saddler’s Creek Wines. Bell awarded the Chair of Judges trophy to W Salter & Son’s 2024 Pepperjack Grenache Rosé, praising the exceptional quality of rosé wines presented this year.
“While Langhorne Creek is known for its outstanding Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, and Shiraz, we are also seeing great potential in certain white varieties and rosés,” Bell commented. “The rosé class this year stood out with several wines offering both freshness and complexity.”
2025 Langhorne Creek Wine Show Trophy Winners:
- Best Sparkling Wine, White Wine or Rosé: Lake Breeze 2024 Pecorino
- Best Blended Red Wine: Lake Breeze 2023 Arthur’s Reserve Cabernet Malbec
- Best Cabernet Sauvignon: Bremerton 2023 Coulthard Cabernet Sauvignon
- Best Shiraz: Lake Breeze 2023 Section 54 Shiraz
- Best Malbec: Lake Breeze 2022 Malbec
- Best Red or White Wine Made from Alternative or Other Varieties: Bremerton 2022 Special Release Graciano
- Best Museum or Fortified Wine: Lake Breeze 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon
- Chair of Judges Award: W Salter & Son 2024 Pepperjack Grenache Rosé
- Champion Wine of the Show: Bremerton 2023 Coulthard Cabernet Sauvignon
- Producer of the Year: Lake Breeze Wines
- Grape Grower of the Year: Tim Follett
The awards ceremony, held on May 9, 2025, brought together over 200 members of the wine industry, including grapegrowers, winemakers, trade representatives, and suppliers, to celebrate the achievements of the Langhorne Creek wine region. The event took place in a marquee set against the picturesque backdrop of Bleasdale Vineyards.
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