Chateau Tanunda crowned "Best Producer of Australia"

For the seventh time in the past eight years, Château Tanunda has been announced 'Best Producer of Australia' after scooping 21 medals at the Berlin Wine Trophy 2017. 

The Berlin Wine Trophy is one of the world's most prestigious international wine shows with vigorous judging standards and more than 2000 wine producers and 12,000 wines submitted.

General Manager, Michelle Geber (pictured right) said: "To win this award seven out of eight years is a huge achievement. We are incredibly proud to have Château Tanunda recognised as the Best Australian Producer at this show."

The 2017 Trophy saw Château Tanunda reinforce its reputation of quality, awarded Premium Gold for for the 50 Year Old Vines Shiraz 2014 and 50 Year Old Vines Cabernet Sauvignon 2013, and a further 18 Gold medals for wines such as the The Chateau Single Vineyard Shiraz 2014 and Terroirs of the Barossa Greenock Shiraz 2015, and the 100 Year Old Vines SGM 2014.

Huge accolade for new GM

It's been an exciting year for Geber, who was appointed general manager of Chateau Tanunda in December 2016.

Geber, 32, has grown up in the wine industry. Her childhood was spent at her family's Cowra Estate vineyards in NSW. Her father, John Geber, bought Chateau Tanunda when she was 14 years old.

“At the time I couldn’t possibly have imagined how much of an impact it would have on my future,” she told The Australian.

Geber added that the only thing daunting her is "making sure you stay true to the history of Chateau Tanunda and we’re coming up to six generations of families and growers in the Barossa — we want to make sure we maintain those relationships with growers and the history and the stories of the region.” 

Geber predicts generational change will lead to many more women running wine companies.

"I think the industry is opening up more and more to women," she told the Australian Financial Review. “It’s definitely a male-dominated industry in Australia but I feel there are a lot of mentors out there if you reach out, and they’re willing to support you and wanting to help you succeed,” she said.

As for Geber's plans for the business, she wants to shift to a more domestic focus, while still maintaining the brand's strong export sales to Europe, Asia and the United States. The company currently exports 65% of its wines.

The win at the Berlin Wine Trophy is another big step in that direction.

Congratulations Michelle!