MEDIA RELEASE - February 2005

Canonbah Bridge Drought Reserve Shiraz 2001 nominated as the most outstanding wine exported out of Australia..

The Canonbah Bridge Drought Reserve Shiraz 2001 has been nominated by the Australian Wine and Brandy Corporation (AWBC) for the GEORGE MACKEY TROPHY for "the most outstanding wine exported for 2004-2005".

The prestigious trophy named after former AWBC Chairman George Mackey - is presented annually by the corporation to the most outstanding export wine for the year.

The Canonbah Bridge Drought Reserve Shiraz is a special wine that is only produced in a drought Year, when harsh conditions and lack of rain provide the optimum circumstances. The yield is less than 1 tonne to the acre, and the wine spends 2.5 years in new French and American oak barriques.

The Canonbah Bridge vineyard is located at Warren, NSW, on the McLaughlin family's 4th generation Merino Sheep station. The family has pioneered the first commercial vineyard in the region, which is operated on a chemical free basis.

The AWBC inspects every wine that is to be exported out of Australia. Of the 20,000 wines inspected, 150 are chosen for nomination. To qualify for the final selection 200 cases of the wine must have been exported.
The final winner is selected by an independent judging panel

Some of the previous winners include Wirra Wirra, Rosemount, Cape Mentelle and Coldstream hills.

The George Mackey trophy results are announced in December 2005.

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