By Lucy Waldron
Twisted Gum Wines has recently garnered significant recognition, winning a gold medal at the Royal Queensland Wine Awards.
Their 2022 Shiraz received a Gold Medal at the Royal Queensland Wine Awards and was awarded ‘The Star Entertainment Group Trophy for the Best Queensland Wine of Show’.
Competing against top wineries from across Australia, Twisted Gum’s Shiraz stood out among the entries.
Owner Michelle Coelli said it was an honour to be recognised for their efforts.
“It was pretty amazing to be up against those big players that have been doing this for a very long time, and to see that our Shiraz could hold its own in that league,” Ms Coelli said.
“It’s very humbling and encouraging at the same time.“
The winery does not often enter their wines into shows by Ms Coelli said they felt this particular vintage was special.
“We thought it was time to benchmark ourselves against some of the bigger wineries in Australia,“ she said.
“We’re very pleased with the result, which is entirely based on the quality of the fruit we grow here.“
For 17 years, Twisted Gum Winery has exclusively produced wine from fruit grown on their estate, focusing on regenerative agriculture. Ms Coelli emphasised that the health of their vineyard has improved significantly over the years, leading to better soil and, consequently, better grapes.
“As our vineyard has got healthier, our soil has improved. We’re starting to see beautiful flavours and outstanding balance in our wines,“ she said.
The winery’s commitment to sustainable practices is evident in their approach.
“Good wine is entirely made from growing good grapes, and for us, that means getting as close to the natural ecosystem as possible in the vineyard,“ Ms Coelli said.
They have not used chemical insecticides in 17 years and rely on a diversity of plants to maintain a balanced ecosystem.
Coming from farming life, this approach to Ms Coelli and her Husband Tim Coelli was something they developed over the years.
They began from the desire to return to agricultural life, raise their family in the country and create an enterprise that could sustain them while creating wonderful wines.
“Our goal is to make wines where you can really taste the difference, thanks to our regenerative agriculture and healthy soils,“ Ms Coelli said.
For those interested in tasting the award-winning Shiraz, it is available directly from the winery’s cellar door. With only 100 cases produced, this limited batch wine is priced at $50 a bottle and promises a unique and exceptional experience for wine enthusiasts.
