Tonon Vineyard & Winery takes out top honour

The winners of this year’s Australian Alternative Varieties Wine Show (AAVWS) were
announced at the AAVWS Awards Long Lunch held on Saturday 11 November 2023 in
Mildura, Victoria.

The Dr. Rod Bonfiglioli Best Wine of Show, sponsored by Chalmers, was awarded to
Tonon Vineyard & Winery for its 2022 Sangiovese. This wine was also awarded trophies for
Best Red Wine, sponsored by Chr. Hansen and Best Red Italian Variety Wine, sponsored
by Stefano’s Restaurant.

Tonon Vineyard & Winery, situated in the Perth Hills wine region in Western Australia, is the
brainchild of winemaker, Dan Tonon. Tonon’s single vineyard in the Perth Hills, established
in 2012, boasts a number of alternative grape varieties, including Vermentino, Fiano,
Tempranillo, Malbec and, of course, Sangiovese. This small, independent winery has
become synonymous with estate grown, artisan produced, award-winning wines.

Western Australian representatives, Nina Throsby (Group Sommelier, Kailis Hospitality
Group and 2023 AAVWS judge) and Cassandra Charlick (wine writer/presenter and the
2023 AAVWS Fellowship Recipient) are both passionate ambassadors of alternative
varieties.

Nina reflects, “What a truly wonderful result both for the AAVWS and Western Australia – it
was my first year judging in Mildura and the first year a WA wine has taken out wine of show!
The Tonon Sangiovese is a true beacon of what the show endeavours to do – uncover great
wines made by alternative varieties throughout Australia. A beautiful ethereal ideation of the
variety defined by its tension and poise.”

Cassandra also added, “The AAVWS is one of Australia’s most exciting wine shows,
providing an insight into the future of Australian wine and the varieties that we have and will
see make their way into mainstream Australian wine culture. How fantastic to be in
attendance in Mildura to see Tonon take home multiple trophies, including the Dr. Rod
Bonfiglioli Best Wine of Show. This is a major milestone for the Western Australian wine
industry, and I hope it encourages more producers to explore alternative varieties and strive
to craft expressive wines from them. Tonon’s Sangiovese shone with vitality and a real
lightless of touch amongst its peers in what was a highly competitive class.”

The 2023 AAVWS Results are available online:
http://show.aavws.com/views/public/wineshowresults