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Influential UK critic acclaims McWilliam’s Mount Pleasant Lovedale™ Semillon as “finest single vineyard Sem in the world.”. Read more...

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With its diverse portfolio of benchmark Hunter Valley wines, Mount Pleasant can often be found favourably at the tip of the critic’s pen.

Accolades

Friday, 20 July 2006
2006 Cowra Success
McWILLIAM’S WINS GOLD, TROPHIES & MOST SUCCESSFUL EXHIBITOR IN COWRA

Australian family-owned wine company, McWilliam’s Wines was last night awarded the Most Successful Exhibitor Trophy at one of the country’s most respected regional shows, the 2006 Cowra Wine Show.

Among its medal haul, McWilliam’s collected gold for two current release wines, the 2001 McWilliam’s Mount Pleasant Elizabeth Semillon and 2005 Lillydale Estate Chardonnay.

In total, the company was awarded two trophies (Most Successful Exhibitor Trophy; Best Riesling of Show Trophy to 2001 McWilliam’s Regional Collection Clare Valley Riesling), seven gold, 15 silver and 34 bronze medals.

Golds were awarded to three McWilliam’s Mount Pleasant Semillons from three different vintages – 2006 McWilliam’s Mount Pleasant Lovedale™ Semillon, 2001 McWilliam’s Mount Pleasant Elizabeth Semillon and 1998 McWilliam’s Mount Pleasant Lovedale™ Semillon.

Mount Pleasant Chief Winemaker, Phil Ryan said the golds demonstrated the depth and quality of its Semillon portfolio and vindicated the release of the wines at several stages of development.

“ McWilliam’s Mount Pleasant has a policy of allowing wine lovers to enjoy the complete spectrum of flavours throughout Hunter Valley Semillon’s development, by offering an early release, cellar and museum release program. The accolades demonstrate that Mount Pleasant has quality Semillon covered, at any age,” Phil Ryan said.

The gold in Cowra brings the gold medal tally of the currently available 2001 McWilliam’s Mount Pleasant Elizabeth Semillon to an incredible seven gold.

“ The 2001 Elizabeth is clearly recognisable as a true Hunter Semillon, exhibiting elegant structure and flavour now and yet will continue to mature beautifully if allowed further bottle ageing.” Mr Ryan commented.
In its 37 year history, Mount Pleasant Elizabeth Semillon has been awarded two championships, 47 trophies and more than 250 gold medals in wine shows across Australia.

The gold medal winning and currently available 2005 Lillydale Estate Chardonnay is a complex wine, and a fine example of the renaissance of Chardonnay, showing elegance, refinement and balance, and being the epitome of style.

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Friday, 14 July 2006
2006 Brisbane Success
FROM FLAGSHIPS TO EVERYDAY VALUE, McWILLIAM’S WINS GOLD IN BRISBANE

McWilliam’s Wines was last night awarded three trophies and nine gold medals at the 2006 Brisbane Wine Show, demonstrating its strength in delivering outstanding quality at every price point.

The gold medals were won for wines across the company’s portfolio, with 2004 McWilliam’s ‘1877’ Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz and both the 1996 and 1998 vintages of McWilliam’s Mount Pleasant Lovedale™ Semillon at the flagship end, to the everyday consuming wines, 2005 McWilliam’s Hanwood Estate Merlot and 2006 McWilliam’s Inheritance Shiraz Cabernet.

McWilliam’s Chief Winemaker, Jim Brayne, said the gold medals reflected the depth of the company’s resources.
“ From Coonawarra to Hilltops, McWilliam’s has such an array of fruit to draw from to create these award-winning wines. The result is a portfolio rich in unique single-vineyard and classic style wines at the top end and consistent, complex, fruit-driven wines at the value end. It’s nice to have this diversity recognised,” Mr Brayne said.

Indeed, it is sentiments reflected in the recent awarding of ‘2006 Winery of the Year’ to McWilliam’s Wines, by leading wine writer and judge, Stuart Gregor. In awarding McWilliam’s the accolade, Stuart said: “…McWilliam’s richly deserves this award for its consistency, its dedication to making great-value wines at every imaginable price point and its failure to have a single dud in its entire range…”

The three trophies awarded to McWilliam’s at the 2006 Brisbane Wine Show were:
- Wine Guild Trophy for Best Sweet Wine in Mature Classes awarded to 2004 McWilliam’s Limited Release Botrytis Semillon.
- Maldwyn & Ian Davies Trophy for Best Aged Brandy awarded to McWilliam’s Deluxe Liqueur Brandy.
- Thomas Trophy for Best Fortified of Show awarded to McWilliam’s Deluxe Liqueur Brandy.
The two gold medals awarded to McWilliam’s Mount Pleasant Lovedale™ Semillon now bring its total show award tally, to an incredible 60 trophies and 122 gold medals in just eight vintages!
In total, McWilliam’s was awarded three trophies, nine gold, six silver and 36 bronze medals at the 2006 Brisbane Wine Show.

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July 2006
Maurice O'Shea Shiraz
CELEBRATED VINTAGE, OLD VINES AND A SIGNIFICANT SITE DELIVER CLASSIC HUNTER RED

The 2003 McWilliam’s Mount Pleasant Maurice O’Shea Shiraz (RRP$60), a wine that demonstrates the value of site selection and reflects the quality of the outstanding 2003 vintage, is now available in limited quantity.
First produced in 1987, McWilliam’s Mount Pleasant Maurice O’Shea Shiraz is made as a tribute to legendary Mount Pleasant winemaker and founder, Maurice O’Shea.

The wine is made predominantly from 126-year-old vines grown on heavy, rich, volcanic soils on Mount Pleasant’s Old Hill Vineyard, located in the foothills of the Brokenback Range. The vineyard was established in 1880 by the King family, and was purchased by the late Maurice O’Shea in 1921. A small portion of fruit is also sourced from Maurice O’Shea’s 1921 plantings from the Old Paddock Vineyard.

McWilliam’s Mount Pleasant Chief Winemaker, Phil Ryan said the 2003 McWilliam’s Mount Pleasant Maurice O’Shea Shiraz articulated the significance of site and the character of the old vines.

“ The particular volcanic structure found on the Old Hill, formed over millions of years, can only be found in a small number of patches in the Hunter Valley. Incredibly, O’Shea identified two of these sites, the Old Hill and Rosehill,” Mr Ryan said.

“ These sites create distinctive, earthy reds with the structure and fruit intensity to last decades,” he added.
The deep red volcanic loams of the Old Hill, which are basalt in origin and contain bands of limestone, have allowed the vines over the last 126 years to penetrate and bury their roots deep into the underlying bedrock. This, Mr Ryan says, provides them with nourishment, resilience and protection.

“ The vines on that hillside have seen three centuries, countless droughts and adversity, and they are now as much a part of that land as the soil and earth. In fact, they are that hillside and when adversity comes along they simply thrive!” Mr Ryan said.

Indeed, the year 2003 saw the worst drought of the century. Negligible rainfall in the prior Autumn, Winter and Spring resulted in seriously reduced crop expectations. The only useful rainfall period in the growing season occurred in December, too late to increase the crop but gave welcome relief to severe bushfires in the district.
While the yields were disappointing, as so often happens out of adversity, the quality of the fruit from 2003 was outstanding.

In the winery, the fruit was fermented, drained and returned twice daily, in open top stainless steel fermenters. Half way through fermentation, the cap was headed down to ensure maximum extraction. The wine was then pressed just before completion of fermentation, to complete primary and malolactic fermentation in barrel.
Mr Ryan said the wine had benefited from oak refinement in recent vintages: “We only use 100 per cent quality French oak and the 2003 and following vintages really express the quality of that oak and the restrained handling of it.”

The 2003 Mount Pleasant Maurice O’Shea Shiraz is now available from fine wine restaurants, stores and McWilliam’s Mount Pleasant Cellar Door (02 4998 7505) at RRP$60.

Mr Ryan says the wine features a spicy, fruit laced bouquet with blackberry, bramble and black pepper notes. Fine, silk-like tannins support a generous palate of fruit flavours, blackberry and plum. The supple tannins and fleshy texture are supported by fine, yet generous French oak characters. This intense, flavoursome wine will age gracefully over the next decade.

“ The wine shows all the signs of an outstanding Hunter Shiraz from a legendary vintage,” Mr Ryan said.

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20 June 2006
"Finest in The World"
INFLUENTIAL UK CRITIC ACCLAIMS McWILLIAM’S MOUNT PLEASANT LOVEDALE™ SEMILLON AS
“ FINEST SINGLE VINEYARD SEM IN THE WORLD”

Adding to what has already been an extraordinary year for McWilliam’s Mount Pleasant Lovedale™ Semillon, regarded UK wine critic Matthew Jukes has described the wine as, “the finest single vineyard Sem in the world.”
The endorsement came as part of Matthew’s 2006 Top 100 list of Australian wines – regarded as one of the most influential wine guides in the United Kingdom. Mount Pleasant Lovedale™ Semillon 2005 featured on the list, with Matthew saying: “In my opinion this is the finest single vineyard Sem in the world. ’05 also happens to be a brilliant vintage …”

Matthew Jukes is widely regarded as one of the United Kingdom’s most influential wine critics; he is a best selling author, wine writer for the UK’s Daily Mail and a past winner of the International Wine & Spirit Communicator of the Year Award.

The endorsement from Matthew Jukes follows McWilliam’s Mount Pleasant Lovedale™ Semillon claiming its 60th trophy and 120th gold medal in just eight vintages, earlier this year. The wine’s 60th trophy – the SIWC Championship Trophy for Best Wine of Competition – was won in February at the Sydney International Wine Competition.

McWilliam’s Mount Pleasant Lovedale™ Semillon has enjoyed considerable success since it was first produced in 1950. Indeed, the inaugural 1950 vintage went on to consistently win trophies and medals (19 in total) at major Australian wine shows for some nineteen years.

The wine has certainly been a quiet achiever. Its ability to reward cellaring for up to 30 years is a rarity with Australian white wine however McWilliam’s Mount Pleasant Lovedale™ Semillon still only sells for $49.

“ McWilliam’s Mount Pleasant Lovedale™ Semillon can outlive many red wines, it really is a great Australian success story,” McWilliam’s Mount Pleasant Chief Winemaker, Phil Ryan said.

The Lovedale Vineyard was planted by legendary winemaker, the late Maurice O’Shea in 1946. McWilliam’s Mount Pleasant Lovedale™ Semillon is an entirely single vineyard wine sourced exclusively from this vineyard. The wine offers enjoyable drinking when young, while also having the ability to cellar for many years.

2000 Mount Pleasant Lovedale™ Semillon – available nationally from fine wine stores, priced at RRP$49.
2005 Mount Pleasant Lovedale™ Semillon – available exclusively from Mount Pleasant Cellar Door, priced at RRP $48. Phone: (02) 4998 7505

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Monday, 27 February 2006
Lovedale™ Semillon
60 TROPHIES, 120 GOLD MEDALS IN JUST EIGHT VINTAGES … LOVEDALE™ SEMILLON:
ONE OF AUSTRALIA’S GREATEST WHITE WINES & BEST KEPT SECRETS

Picking up its 60th trophy and 120th gold medal in just eight vintages, McWilliam’s Mount Pleasant Lovedale™ Semillon has confirmed its place as one of Australia’s greatest white wines. The wine’s 60th trophy – the SIWC Championship Trophy for Best Wine of Competition – was won on Saturday at the Sydney International Wine Competition.

McWilliam’s Mount Pleasant Lovedale™ Semillon has enjoyed considerable success since it was first produced in 1950. Indeed, the inaugural 1950 vintage went on to consistently win trophies and medals (19 in total) at major Australian wine shows for some nineteen years.

The wine has certainly been a quiet achiever. Its ability to reward cellaring for up to 30 years is a rarity with Australian white wine however McWilliam’s Mount Pleasant Lovedale™ Semillon still only sells for $49.

“ McWilliam’s Mount Pleasant Lovedale™ Semillon can outlive many red wines, it really is a great Australian success story,” McWilliam’s Mount Pleasant Chief Winemaker, Phil Ryan said.

McWilliam’s Mount Pleasant received Blue-Gold medals for its Hunter Valley Semillons across five vintages – 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002 - at the 2006 Sydney International Wine Competition. Among the winners was Lovedale™’s younger sibling, the currently available 2001 McWilliam’s Mount Pleasant Elizabeth Semillon (RRP$16).

“ Hunter Valley Semillon is such a distinctive Australian style, so I’m equally proud that each trophy and gold medal also recognises the unique winegrowing area of Hunter Valley in New South Wales,” Mr Ryan said.
In total, the current vintage 2000 McWilliam’s Mount Pleasant Lovedale™ Semillon won three trophies at the 2006 Sydney International Wine Competition: Best Lighter Bodied Dry White Table Wine, Best White Table Wine, and Best Wine of Competition.

McWilliam’s Mount Pleasant Lovedale™ Semillon is an entirely single vineyard wine. The Lovedale Vineyard was planted by legendary winemaker, the late Maurice O’Shea in 1946. Like all single vineyard wines, the wine speaks of its home and vintage, the common thread between years is the quality and unique characters of the soil and site from which it comes.

McWilliam’s Mount Pleasant is fortunate the McWilliam family affords it the time to allow its wines to cellar until they are ready for release. McWilliam’s Mount Pleasant Lovedale™ Semillon is released after five years cellaring. With Hunter Valley Semillon and the transformation the wine undergoes over several stages, this time in bottle is incredibly important.

Over the last five years, the tropical, gooseberry fruit profile of the cooler currently available 2000 vintage has evolved into intense fruit characters on the palate with nutty, honey nuances. The restrained development of this particular vintage, exemplified over the last five years, bodes well for a long cellaring future.

The Sydney International Wine Competition is one of the most regarded wine shows in Australia. Entries are capped at 2000 wines and the wines are then assessed varietally with judging taking place alongside food. Judges for the competition are drawn from several countries across the globe.

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Langton’s Classification
McWilliam’s Mount Pleasant Lovedale™ Semillon – ‘Excellent’

In 2005, Langton’s released the fourth edition of its authoritative Classification of Australian Wine, following the first edition in 1991 and re-classifications in 1996 and 2000. The Langton’s Classification plays a key role in underpinning the international emergence of Australian fine wine and has become increasingly recognised by collectors and the secondary wine market as an ‘unofficial honour roll’ of Australia’s finest.

In the 2005 edition, McWilliam’s Mount Pleasant Lovedale Semillon inaugurated its place on the Classification with an ‘Excellent’ rating, endorsing its reputation as one of Australia’s benchmark Semillons.

Langton’s Classification of Australian Fine Wine 2005
McWilliams’ Mount Pleasant Lovedale™ Semillon

The Lovedale Vineyard was planted in 1946 by pioneer winemaker Maurice O’Shea. Locals used to say the sandy soils were so poor that “rabbits need to bring along a tucker box to survive”, but these lean acidic soils are elemental to the long-lived, fine boned Lovedale Semillons, first made in 1950. The grapes are picked early, resulting in wines with low alcohol and naturally high acidity. The austere young wines are pale with floral/lemon curd/herb garden aromas and flavours, a core of fruit sweetness and fine mineral acid cut. An extraordinary change takes place as the wine develops in bottle. The colour deepens to gold and toasty/lanolin/oilskin characters, richness and flavour complexity emerge.

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Critical Acclaim …
“ THE LOVEDALE™ VINEYARDS IS THE GREATEST SOURCE OF SEMILLON IN THE HUNTER”
James Halliday, Weekend Australia, November 2002

“ A single-vineyard Hunter from a great shiraz vintage … very complex and mellowing in the customary Hunter style, it’s beautifully balanced and fine, and just oozes personality…”
Huon Hooke, Sydney Morning Herald Good Living, 10 May 2005 (2000 Mount Pleasant Rosehill Shiraz)

“ This perennial classic is rich and multi-layered, with flavours of nuts, figs, biscuit and honey…”
Sally Gudgeon, Sunday Life Magazine (Sun-Herald, Sunday Age), 17 July 2005 (2000 Mount Pleasant Elizabeth Semillon)

“ There are plenty of examples of single vineyard wines. For example, the Rosehill and Lovedale Vineyards, established by legendary Hunter winemaker Maurice O’Shea in 1945, excel at producing Shiraz and Semillon respectively. Now in the hands of McWilliam’s with the wines made by long-term Hunter winemaker, Phil Ryan, the vineyards produce highly distinctive, world-class wines.”
Chris Shanahan, Sunday Canberra Times

“ There is an endearing drinkability about the Mount Pleasant Hunter Valley wines …”
Paddy Kendler, Herald Sun

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2005 National Wine Show Success
McWilliam’s Mount Pleasant led the charge at the 2005 National Wine Show in Canberra, with the 1998 McWilliam’s Mount Pleasant Elizabeth Semillon securing an incredible four trophies, beating the show’s other high scoring wines to take the highest award possible, the Best Wine of Show trophy. The trophies awarded to 1998 McWilliam’s Mount Pleasant Elizabeth Semillon were:
- Len Evans Trophy for Best Wine of Show
- Vintage Cellars Trophy for Best White Wine of Show
- J.McCarthy & Co Pty Ltd Trophy for Best Dry White Table Wine
- Royal National Capital Agricultural Society for Best Semillon in Premium Classes

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Decanter World Wine Awards
Australian family owned wine company McWilliam’s Wines was awarded two of the most prestigious trophies at the Decanter World Wine Awards, in London. The trophies were awarded to the company’s two flagship wines, 2001 McWilliam’s ‘1877’ Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz and 1999 McWilliam’s Mount Pleasant Lovedale™ Semillon. Drawing entries from across the globe, the Decanter World Wine Awards is one of the most competitive and challenging international wine competitions with a judging panel consisting of some of the most regarded wine show judges in the world.

Both trophies were awarded in the ‘Over £10’ category, the 1999 McWilliam’s Mount Pleasant Lovedale™ Semillon won the ‘Regional Australia White Varietal Over £10 Trophy’ while 2001 McWilliam’s ‘1877’ Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz was awarded the ‘Regional Australia Red Blend Over £10 Trophy’.

The Decanter World Wine Awards joined a long list of accolades McWilliam’s Mount Pleasant Lovedale™ Semillon won in 2005. In July, the wine was recognised with a place on Australia’s ‘honour roll’ of ultra fine wine,
Langton’s Fine Wine Classification 2005. Late last month, the 1999 vintage was named ‘White Wine of Show’ at the prestigious Tri Nations Wine Challenge, in Sydney. The wine also won the trophy for the ‘Best Unwooded White Varietals or Blends’.

This year’s acclaim brings the wine show tally for the last seven vintages released (’84, ’86, ’95, ’96, ’97, ’98, ‘99 – the wine is released in exceptional vintages only) of McWilliam’s Mount Pleasant Lovedale™ Semillon to an incredible 55 trophies and 109 gold medals.

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60 Trophies, 120 Gold Medals in Just Eight Vintages… Lovedale™ Semillon:
one of Australia's Greatest White Wines and Best Kept Secrets
Picking up its 60th trophy and 120th gold medal in just eight vintages, McWilliam’s Mount Pleasant Lovedale™ Semillon has confirmed its place as one of Australia’s greatest white wines. The wine’s 60th trophy – the SIWC Championship Trophy for Best Wine of Competition – was won at the Sydney International Wine Competition.
McWilliam’s Mount Pleasant Lovedale™ Semillon has enjoyed considerable success since it was first produced in 1950. Indeed, the inaugural 1950 vintage went on to consistently win trophies and medals (19 in total) at major Australian wine shows for some nineteen years.

McWilliam’s Mount Pleasant received Blue-Gold medals for its Hunter Valley Semillons across five vintages – 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002 - at the 2006 Sydney International Wine Competition. Among the winners was Lovedale™’s younger sibling, the currently available 2001 McWilliam’s Mount Pleasant Elizabeth Semillon (RRP$16).

“ Hunter Valley Semillon is such a distinctive Australian style, so I’m equally proud that each trophy and gold medal also recognises the unique winegrowing area of Hunter Valley in New South Wales,” Mr Ryan said.
In total, the current vintage 2000 McWilliam’s Mount Pleasant Lovedale™ Semillon won three trophies at the 2006 Sydney International Wine Competition: Best Lighter Bodied Dry White Table Wine, Best White Table Wine, and Best Wine of Competition.

The Sydney International Wine Competition is one of the most regarded wine shows in Australia. Entries are capped at 2000 wines and the wines are then assessed varietally with judging taking place alongside food. Judges for the competition are drawn from several countries across the globe.

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Tuesday, 29 August 2006
McWILLIAM’S MOUNT PLEASANT LOVEDALE™ SEMILLON SEES DOUBLE
For the second time this year, McWilliam’s Mount Pleasant Lovedale™ Semillon has won a prestigious trophy at a highly-competitive international wine competition. The most recent win came last night with the wine collecting a trophy at the 2006 Tri Nations Wine Challenge, in Sydney.

The Tri Nations Wine Challenge sees wines from Australia, New Zealand and South Africa compete to win trophies in several categories. Wines can only be entered after receiving an invitation by an esteemed group of judges that includes UK wine critic Robert Joseph, James Halliday (Australia), Bob Campbell MW (New Zealand) and Michael Fridjhon (South Africa).

Due to the tight criteria for entry and the caliber of the judging panel, the competition has quickly established a reputation as one of the most challenging and demanding to win.

Overall, Australia – supported by the success of McWilliam’s Mount Pleasant Lovedale™ Semillon – was named ‘Country of the Show’ for the fourth consecutive year.

Earlier this year, McWilliam’s Mount Pleasant Lovedale Semillon was awarded three trophies at the equally challenging 2006 Sydney International Wine Competition (SIWC). The SIWC is one of the most regarded wine shows in Australia, with entries capped at 2000 wines and the wines then assessed varietally with judging taking place alongside food. Judges for the competition are drawn from several countries across the globe.
Mount Pleasant Chief Winemaker, Phil Ryan, said the trophies demonstrated once again that Hunter Valley Semillon could compete proudly in an international arena and win.

“ Mount Pleasant Lovedale represents a style unique to Australia and the Hunter Valley, from a very special piece of soil in the region. I’m pleased that all these distinctive elements are recognised through these accolades and Australia again demonstrates why we’re such a powerful player on the international wine stage,” Phil said.

Indeed, it has been a highly-decorated year for McWilliam’s Mount Pleasant Lovedale™ Semillon. In June, the 2005 vintage was described by leading UK wine critic Matthew Jukes as, “…the finest single vineyard Sem in the world.”

The wine has certainly been a quiet achiever. Its ability to reward cellaring for up to 30 years is a rarity with Australian white wine however McWilliam’s Mount Pleasant Lovedale™ Semillon still only sells for $49.
Last night’s trophy now brings the total show award tally for McWilliam’s Mount Pleasant Lovedale Semillon to an incredible 61 trophies and 122 gold medals in just eight vintages!

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Friday, 29 September, 2006
BRAND’S, BARWANG, LILLYDALE ESTATE AND MOUNT PLEASANT LEAD
TROPHY AND GOLD MEDAL WINNING HAUL IN RUTHERGLEN
McWilliam’s Wines has collected five trophies and 10 gold medals at one of Australia’s most distinguished regional wine shows, the 2006 Rutherglen Wine Show. The accolades included trophies and gold medals awarded to current release wines across the company’s estate wine portfolio.

The trophies were awarded to:

- 2005 Brand’s of Coonawarra Chardonnay (Best Australian Dry White Table Wine – Chardonnay Classes), also won Top Gold
- 2004 Brand’s of Coonawarra Merlot (Best Australian Dry Red Table Wine – Merlot Classes), also won Top Gold
- 1998 McWilliam’s Mount Pleasant Lovedale™ Semillon (Best Australian Dry White Table Trophy & Best Australian Dry White Table Wine – Semillon Classes), also won Top Gold
- 2001 McWilliam’s Clare Valley Riesling (Best Australian Dry White Table Wine – Riesling Classes), also won Top Gold
Also among the gold medals winners was the current release 2002 Barwang Cabernet Sauvignon, a recent gold medal winner at the 2006 Canberra Regional Wine Show.

“ For one wine to win two gold medals in two weeks is a pretty strong reflection of its quality. The great thing for wine lovers is that the gold medal wins have coincided with the release of the wine which means they can readily get their hands on the wine now,” McWilliam’s Chief Winemaker, Jim Brayne, said.

Jim said, in addition to the Barwang golds, he was pleased the company’s regional wines had again triumphed.
“ Only a week or so ago we were celebrating our regional wines winning trophies and gold in Perth and Canberra. Today, we are celebrating the same achievement in Rutherglen. It’s a pretty strong endorsement of our philosophy to focus on and provide flagship wines from Australia’s most regarded wine regions,” Jim added.
Also continuing a run of success is McWilliam’s Yarra Valley winery, Lillydale Estate. The current release 2005 Lillydale Estate Sauvignon Blanc picked up a Top Gold medal at Rutherglen, which follows a recent gold awarded to the current release 2005 Lillydale Estate Chardonnay.

The Best White Table Wine Trophy awarded to 1998 McWilliam’s Mount Pleasant Lovedale™ Semillon brings the total trophy tally for the last nine vintages of the wine to an incredible 63 trophies!

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Friday, September 29, 2006
MOUNT PLEASANT LOVEDALE SEMILLON WINS ITS 63RD TROPHY AND IS DECLARED
“ BEST SEMILLON IN THE WORLD” BY TOP UK CRITIC
The 63rd trophy and 132nd gold medal, in just nine vintages, awarded to McWilliam’s Mount Pleasant Lovedale Semillon has coincided with the wine being described as “the best Semillon in the world”, by the UK’s leading wine writer, Matthew Jukes.

The latest two trophies were awarded to 1998 McWilliam’s Mount Pleasant Lovedale at the 2006 Rutherglen Wine Show, with the results announced today.

The trophies coincide with the release today of “Taste 2007”, the book written by the UK’s leading wine writer, Matthew Jukes, along with Australian wine commentator and author, Tyson Stelzer.

In the book, the authors simply and powerfully state the 2005 vintage of McWilliam’s Mount Pleasant Lovedale Semillon is “the best Semillon in the world.”

The two most recent accolades follow what has been an incredibly successful year for McWilliam’s Mount Pleasant Lovedale Semillon. Some of the highlights include:

- Best Semillon of Show awarded to 1998 McWilliam’s Mount Pleasant Lovedale Semillon at the 2006 Sydney Royal Wine Show, in February.
- The current vintage 2000 McWilliam’s Mount Pleasant Lovedale Semillon won three trophies at the 2006 Sydney International Wine Competition: Best Lighter Bodied Dry White Table Wine, Best White Table Wine, and Best Wine of Competition.
- Best Semillon of Show Trophy awarded to 1998 McWilliam’s Mount Pleasant Lovedale Semillon, at the 2006 Perth Wine Show.
- The 2000 McWilliam’s Mount Pleasant Lovedale Semillon won a prestigious trophy at the highly-competitive 2006 Tri Nations Wine Challenge, in Sydney.

McWilliam’s Mount Pleasant Chief Winemaker, Phil Ryan, said he felt humbled by all the accolades and felt proud that Hunter Valley Semillon and in particular the Lovedale Vineyard, the special, single piece of land that creates the wine, was receiving recognition as the world’s best.

“ I feel honoured the wine is receiving praise at home at wine shows across the country, while also flying the flag for its home internationally. Matthew Jukes must taste tens of thousands of wines each year from around the world, to declare Lovedale the best Semillon is truly and completely special,” Phil said.

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Friday, October 20, 2006
MOUNT PLEASANT CHIEF WINEMAKER, PHIL RYAN, RECEIVES NSW WINE INDUSTRY’S TOP HONOUR
McWilliam’s Mount Pleasant Chief Winemaker, Phil Ryan, tonight received the New South Wales wine industry’s highest honour, the 2006 Graham Gregory Award, in recognition of more than four decades of work.

The 2006 Graham Gregory Trophy was awarded to Phil by the Minister for Primary Industries, Ian Macdonald, at a gala dinner in Sydney. The award coincides this week with the anniversary of Phil’s 41st year with McWilliam’s Wines.

“ I feel extremely honoured to receive this Award. When you take into consideration the caliber of past recipients and the size and diversity of the New South Wales wine industry, I feel incredibly humble and grateful,” Phil said.

The Graham Gregory Trophy recognises outstanding contribution to the State’s $2 billion wine industry and is named after former NSW Agriculture Deputy Director-General, Graham Gregory, who helped pioneer the NSW wine industry.

“ Phil Ryan has dedicated his life to making great wine and promoting the NSW wine industry both here in Australia and overseas,” Mr Macdonald said.

Phil joined McWilliam’s Wines in 1965 at the age of 19. For more than a decade he was employed in the company’s laboratory and quality control areas, based in Pyrmont in Sydney.

In 1978, Phil was appointed Mount Pleasant Chief Winemaker where he worked under the guidance of Maurice O’Shea’s successor Brian Walsh until Brian’s retirement in 1985.

Since that time Phil has been responsible for McWilliam’s award winning range of Mount Pleasant wines, including the flagship Maurice O’Shea Shiraz, the single vineyard Rosehill Shiraz, OP&OH Shiraz and Lovedale Semillon, as well as Elizabeth Semillon.

The winery is today one of the most awarded in Australia. In the last 25 years alone, Mount Pleasant has been awarded an incredible five Championships, and more than 130 trophies, 500 gold, 500 silver and 1100 bronze medals.

Phil has judged at international and Australian capital city and regional wine shows - including Sydney, Canberra, Hunter Valley, Cowra, Hobart and Pan-Pacific (Hong Kong) – since 1981.

He has also been on the Board of the Hunter Valley Vineyard Association - Australia's oldest wine association - since 1987. Phil's various roles within the association have included Secretary (present), Vice-President, Chairman of Promotions and Chairman of the Technical Committee.

Under Phil’s stewardship, Mount Pleasant today stands as a flagship of the Hunter Valley and of New South Wales wine. Indeed, Phil has been tireless in his support of the Hunter Valley, travelling extensively and regularly to promote Mount Pleasant and the region to both a national and international audience.

“ The award is really recognition of a much wider team rather than just one individual. From the McWilliam family who provided endless opportunity and support over the years to every member of the McWilliam’s company, the last four decades and this award would not have been possible without every one of them,” Phil said.

Phil is the third member of McWilliam’s Wines to be awarded the Graham Gregory Trophy, with McWilliam’s Chairman, Don McWilliam, and McWilliam’s Chief Winemaker, Jim Brayne, previous winners.

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Thursday, 6 June 2007
MOUNT PLEASANT’S LANDMARK LOVEDALE VINEYARD & ESTEEMED WINEMAKER
RECOGNISED WITH AWARDS

Mount Pleasant’s Lovedale Vineyard was last night named ‘Vineyard of the Year’ at the inaugural Hunter Valley Wine Industry Awards and retired Mount Pleasant Chief Winemaker, Brian Walsh, was inducted as a ‘Living Legend’ of the Hunter Valley.

It was with a firm belief in regional definition, single vineyard wines and a thorough understanding of the Hunter Valley landscape, the late Maurice O’Shea planted the famed Lovedale Vineyard in the Hunter Valley, in 1946.

Considered one of Australia’s most gifted winemakers, O’Shea took a site repeatedly overlooked by most winemakers in the area and planted it to Semillon. It is the unique structure of the sandy aggregrate loam soil of the Mount Pleasant Lovedale Vineyard and its surrounding environment that captures the perfect tightness and acidity for making premium Semillon.

The quality of Mount Pleasant Lovedale Semillon and the recognition it receives is testament to the fact O’Shea chose the perfect site. Incredibly, the last 10 vintages alone have won a total of 1 Championship, 65 trophies and 142 gold medals. Indeed, this recognition solidifies Mount Pleasant Lovedale’s position as arguably Australia’s greatest white wine.

Select parcels of fruit from the Lovedale vineyard are also used to craft Mount Pleasant’s highly awarded Elizabeth Semillon

“The quality of the Lovedale vineyard has been celebrated by critics and at wines shows internationally and around Australia, but it feels particularly humbling to have the site recognised at home by fellow Hunter winemakers,” Mount Pleasant Chief Winemaker, Phil Ryan said.

In its 86 year history, Mount Pleasant has only had three Chief Winemakers, ensuring consistency of quality and style. Assuming the role in 1956 from Mount Pleasant’s founder, the late Maurice O’Shea, Brian Walsh was the second to hold the position. Brian Walsh spent 30 years at Mount Pleasant and was instrumental in continuing O’Shea’s groundbreaking work.

“Mount Pleasant is fortunate to have had such visionaries within its history who planted and developed vineyards and wines that are still showcasing the best of the Hunter Valley today. It was certainly a golden baton that was passed to me,” Phil said.

For further information or hi-res images please contact:
Katherine Ward, McWilliam’s Communications Manager on (02) 9722 1200 or 0407 708 508 or email kward@mcwilliams.com.au

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