The South Burnett terroir was the secret to Clovely Estate’s success at the 35th annual Queensland Wine Awards on Wednesday 5 September, taking home the Champion Mainstream Variety White Wine of Show with a gold medal for its 2010 Semillon, together with several other medals including silver for the 2014 Semillon, 2017 Semillon and 2012 Blanc de Blanc.

, according to owner and managing director, Susan Mercer. The winery took out the ‘

Clovely Estate Owner and Managing Director Susan Mercer said she has always claimed the South Burnett is the ideal terroir for Mediterranean varietals. “Its conditions are very similar to the Hunter Valley, and our recent awards are really proving that,” Susan said. “We are really proud to be able to put a champion local wine on the tables of Queenslanders and to be able to share it in Australia and overseas.”

The medals at the Queensland Wine Awards come less than a month after Clovely Estate wines also achieved high rankings in the 2018 James Halliday Awards. James Halliday ranked four Clovely Estate wines with more than 90 points, including the 2014 Saperavi, 2013 DP Shiraz, 2010 Blanc de Blanc and 2017 Semillon. As Clovely Estate goes from strength to strength, it has also relabeled all of its wines this year to reflect their quality and to evoke their South Burnett heritage. The labels, designed by Brisbane branding consultants, Lloyd Grey Design, also feature specially commissioned artwork by Queensland printmaker Claudia Husband.

Claudia’s brief was to capture the landscapes and terroir of the South Burnett – to celebrate the story of a place with rich agricultural traditions and a new role as the home of some of Australia’s finest wines. Clovely Estate wines are available online, at the Moffatdale Cellar Door, the City Cellar Door in Red Hill, Brisbane, and through selected specialist retailers. See their website for a full list.

Readers also enjoyed this story about the Bloom Room Cafe