Producer of the Year:
GIANT STEPS
Our 2022 Producer of the Year goes to the team at Giant Steps in the Yarra Valley. Giant Steps released a flawless suite of wines last year, mostly centred around a near-perfect 2021 harvest for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in their region.
With the uber-talented Melanie Chester at the helm and Steve Flamsteed in a mentoring role, it would seem, somehow, the best is still yet to come from this world-class operation.
Read more about Giant Steps here or shop below
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Best Value Producer of the Year:
DOMAINE NATURALISTE
Bruce Dukes' ability to produce, delicious, full-flavoured examples of Margaret River's signature varieties through his Domaine Naturaliste label is second to none. And what's more, they are some of the very best bang-for-your-buck wines this country has to offer.
Read more about Domaine Naturaliste here or shop below
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Avant-Garde Producer of the Year:
GENTLE FOLK
Gareth and Rainbow Belton may stick to a lo-fi approach but this family operation is producing some of the most refined wines in the Adelaide Hills. The worlds of fine wine and natural wine collide in the Gentle Folk range.
Read more about Gentle Folk here or shop below
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People's Choice Producer of the Year:
RIESLINGFREAK
John and Belinda Hughes' mono-varietal obsession with Riesling makes for this country's most comprehensive exploration of the grape. Over 2000 Different Drop customers ordered a bottle of Rieslingfreak last year.
With five wines in our Top 50 Best Selling Wines of the Year, they were clearly the People's Choice Producer of 2022!
Read more about Rieslingfreak here or shop below
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Breakout Producer of the Year:
M&J Becker
James and Meagan Becker had an exceptional year over 2022, releasing a fantastic suite of wines under their M&J Becker label from their home in the Hunter Valley and broader NSW. Their expansive range covers two continents and a myriad of wine styles, all executed beautifully. They are the face of modern NSW wine.
Read more about M&J Becker here or shop below
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International Producer of the Year:
BODEGA CHACRA
In the heart of Argentina lies Piero Incisa della Rocchetta's operation Bodega Chacra, founded back in 2003. These are world-class, cool-climate wines with a ravenous following.
Chacra is a magical producer that gave us some of the most excellent examples of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay that we tasted from any corner of the world in 2022.
Read more about Bodega Chacra here or shop below
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