Margaret River wine producers Stella Bella Wines have a lot to celebrate, thanks to their 2015 Suckfizzle Sauvignon Blanc Semillon being crowned the country’s best Semillon Sauvignon Blend at the 2019 Halliday Wine Companion Awards.
Held on August 1, the awards recognise the finest results and talents in Australian winemaking, and Stella Bella’s chief winemaker Luke Jolliffe said the recognition was testament to the dedication and trust in the fruit grown on the estate.
“The Suckfizzle story began in 1997 with the first vintage of a Graves style wine modelled on Domaine de Chevalier from Bordeaux,” Mr Jolliffe said.
“It is a single vineyard wine from the most southern and unique vineyard in the Margaret River region which produces wines with distinctive flavour, character and age-ability.
“Today it is a wine with a long and prestigious history that has evolved with the times and has ultimately been recognised as the best Semillon Sauvignon blend in Australia.”
The wine has also received international recognition with a Platinum Medal and 97 points awarded at the 2018 Decanter World Wine Awards.
“I have always believed this vineyard and wine style and this recognition highlights is greatness.” Mr Jolliffe said.
“It is an absolute honour to see the Suckfizzle Sauvignon Blanc Semillon named amongst the best wines in Australia.”
Stella Bella marketing manager Amelia Knight said the Suckfizzle brand had changed along with the development of the wine itself.
“As the wine style has evolved, so has the brand and story with the 2015 vintage revealing a new label,” Ms Knight said.
“The idea behind the new artwork and branding was to create two elements that visually tell the story behind the wines.
“The first element is based on the existing ‘Suckfizzle Foot with Wings’ that has proudly carried the flag as the hero of the label design.
“The second element is the piece by artist Dan Tomkins – a painted landscape representing Cape Leeuwin and the spectacular coastline that surrounds the Suckfizzle vineyard.
“When combined, the two elements complete the story and reflect the unique nature and history of the Suckfizzle brand.”