A family owned Ararat winery with strong Penola ties was recently awarded an impressive three trophies at the annual Western Victorian Wine Challenge.

The event showcased the best wines from Western Victoria’s winemaking regions, which included the Grampians, Pyrenees, Henty and Ballarat.

Montara Wines winemaker and former Penola local Simon Fennell has been involved with the winery since 2016 and said he couldn’t be prouder of their achievements.

“A lot of work has gone into our vineyard and our winemaking program, it’s a real credit to the staff and it’s great to be able to share it with everyone,” Mr Fennell said.

The distinguished wine show had a record-breaking 184 entries this year.

Montara Wines took home the trophies for Champion Riesling with its 2018 Old Vines Riesling, Champion Museum Red with its 2010 Chalambar Road Shiraz and Champion Pinot Noir with its 2019 Montara Single Vineyard Home Block Pinot Noir.

The Grampians region also received the coveted regional shield. The chairman of judges was composed of well-regarded and esteemed Victorian wine critics, which included experienced winemaker Jen Pfeiffer of Pfeiffer Wines, Gabs LaForgia and Simon Freeman.

An achievement certainly worth celebrating, the awards coincided with Montara’s 50-year milestone in the industry. “We celebrated like we won a grand final,” Mr Fennell said.

“It was really nice to commemorate our 50 years with the trophies.” Mr Fennell was born and raised in Penola and has plenty of experience in the winemaking industry.

He completed studies in Horticulture and worked at various wineries in the. Coonawarra region including Rymill, Henley Estate, Wynns Estate and DiGiorgio Family Wines.

His passion for winemaking led him across the Victorian border in 2012, where he worked as an Assistant Winemaker for Best’s Wines, Great Western, which progressed to his current winemaker role at Montara Wines. Mr Fennell said he maintained connections with Coonawarra.

“The wine community is small so I’m regularly in touch with mates back home … we’re all fairly closely connected and always keep in touch,” he said. Montara Wines are available for purchase via the Montara website.