RUTHERGLEN’S Lake Moodemere Estate Lakeside Vineyard has been named among Australia’s top vineyard, receiving national recognition as part of Young Gun of Wine’s Vineyard of the Year Awards.

The local estate was named among the 41 best vineyards in the country as part of the fourth iteration of the awards, and was one of nine Victorian vineyards acknowledged.

It was the only vineyard from the North East celebrated, with other wineries on the Mornington Peninsula, Heathcote, Swan Hill, Macedon Ranges and the Yarra Valley recognised.

The awards were introduced in 2020 as part of an effort to advance the regional identity of Australian wine and promote sustainability and innovation in winegrowing.

“The pandemic might be over, the bushfires and floods might have receded, but there’s still plenty to worry about – uncertain weather patterns, global oversupply, rising costs and dwindling returns, structural imbalance and poor industry governance – the list goes on,” awards panelist Max Allen said.

“That’s why the vineyard of the year awards – in my humble opinion – are so important.

“They provide shining examples of innovative ideas, leading-edge practice, and sustainable business.

“Collectively, they offer a ray of hope, by highlighting regenerative viticulture, by championing our best growers and viticulturists and vignerons, we can remind ourselves that growing grapes and making wine is a long-term game that requires resilience and optimism and ingenuity.”