Wine
A Crowning Glory
Introducing the six finalists in the Royal Agricultural society of NSW’s President’s medal – the pinnacle of achievement among Sydney Royal Wine, Dairy and Fine Food show entrants.
Every year the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW (RAS) celebrates incredible Australian produce through its annual Sydney Royal Wine, Dairy and Fine Food shows, acknowledging those who excel with a gold, silver, bronze or champion medal; a badge of honour which tells a story of perseverance and quality.
If a Sydney Royal medal is the badge, the RAS President’s Medal is the crown. Looking beyond product taste, the RAS’ premier food and beverage award delves into a company’s entire production cycle including its financial, social and environmental integrity. This year the six finalists are not only growing, creating and manufacturing award-winning goods, but also driving the Australian produce industry forward.
Selected from over 90 Sydney Royal Champions, each finalist has an innovative quality that is propelling their business forward and the RAS is on the search for the best of the best.
Gold Coast Marine Aquaculture
Champion Prawn Exhibit and Champion Aquaculture Product – 2019 Sydney Royal Fine Food Show.
A family-owned business, Gold Coast Marine Aquaculture (GCMA) has been farming prize-winning Gold Coast Tiger Prawns since 1986. With the main farm in South East Queensland and a second outside picturesque Port Douglas, GCMA now grows over 1000 tonnes of prawns per year.
An amazing team, combining dedicated staff and real community involvement, creates a workplace that prides itself on producing a reliable, quality product. The company is recognised as a leader in breeding stock, increased biosecurity and introducing an Australian first with their water filtration system. With a focus on sustainability and innovation, it’s no surprise GCMA Tiger Prawns are one of Australia’s most recognised and requested.
Gumnut Patisserie
Champion Cake, Champion Pastry and Best Professional Bakery Apprentice/Student Exhibit – 2019 Sydney Royal Fine Food Show.
Tempting tastebuds since 1995, Gumnut Patisserie, with stores in the regional towns of Bowral, Berrima and Mittagong, is a major drawcard for the Southern Highlands of NSW.
Family owned and operated, Gumnut Patisserie has an outstanding reputation for its ‘open kitchen philosophy,’ nurturing apprentices, supporting local producers and remaining a wholly locally-focused business drawing in out-of-towners. Using the finest ingredients and never compromising on quality or taste, Gumnut Patisserie encourages creativity while honouring tradition.
Heathcote Estate
Best Single Vineyard Wine, Best Shiraz, Best Red, Best State Show Wine and Best Wine of Show – 2019 KPMG Sydney Royal Wine Show.
The Kirby family established Heathcote Estate in 1999 with the objective of producing a single vineyard Shiraz to express the best characteristics of the variety from this region in Central Victoria. Over two decades the label has forged a reputation for award-winning wines of exceptional character and longevity. The site is managed and cared for by a close-knit team who meticulously nurture each vine in each row.
The winemaking team takes an intuitive approach, understanding it is the qualities of the vineyard that make the wine and the goal of the winemaker is to merely translate that without distortion.
Julianne’s Kitchen
Champion Other Charcuterie Product – 2019 Sydney Royal Fine Food Show.
Julianne’s Kitchen, a family-owned artisan fine food brand launched in 2010, makes real food, in real kitchens to be enjoyed all over Australia. All products, from French style patés, terrines, rillettes and fruit pastes to the famous caramelised onion jam, are free from artificial colours, preservatives, additives and flavours. Served in fine-dining and award-winning restaurants and available in supermarkets, the business prepares restaurant quality food for the home.
With a true love for cooking and seeing others enjoy the fruits of her labour, Julianne Lever happily mentors aspiring chefs. Giving back, Julianne’s Kitchen created a shared recycling system within her community while implementing workflows to reduce batch waste.
Shottesbrooke
Best Chardonnay and Best White – 2019 Sydney Royal Wine Show.
Established in 1981 on a solid tradition of hard work, dedication and passion, Shottesbrooke produces award-winning wines distributed around the world. Now in the winemaking hands of the second-generation, this family business proudly produces premium wines that not only reflect their origin, but have a minimum impact on the environment.
Removing the mystery and revealing the magic of winemaking, Shottesbrooke offers exclusive tours taking visitors into the very heart of the craft to indulge in a hands-on sensory experience. It is this, along with an innovative approach to wine production, sustainability and careful expansion that elevates Shottesbrooke and promotes the local region.
Yumbah Aquaculture
Champion Other Farmed Aquaculture Product – 2019 Sydney Royal Fine Food Show.
Yumbah Aquaculture was established in 1999 when a young surfer dreamt of doing aquaculture in a different way. Now it is positioned as the largest producer of farmed abalone in the southern hemisphere, exporting award-winning greenlip sashimi quality abalone to countries including Japan, Singapore, China, and the United States.
With four farms across Australia, a processing facility and Yumbah Aquafeeds, the company manages every step in the production process from breeding to feeding, processing to sales. The Yumbah team consider themselves a family of ocean loving sustainable farmers, immersing themselves in the communities they inhabit with a passion for the environment and its preservation, all while knowing pristine conditions are vital for the magnificent abalone they harvest.
The 14th Annual President’s Medal winner will be announced on April 8. For more details, please visit rasnsw.com.au/presidentsmedal