Their first wines were released late 2016, and the Hughes brothers are already receiving accolades for Mewstone Vineyard.
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Recently picking up Best New Act in the Young Guns of Wine, Matthew and Jonathan Hughes have been celebrating success at their Flowerpot vineyard, on the edge of the D’Entrecasteaux Channel.
“Happy times. It’s great to get some affirmation for what we’re trying to do and we can’t wait to get back to work and get more wine out there,” Jonathan Hughes said.
“It’s been great. Awards are always appreciated.”
The awards experience was one they relished, with the Young Guns program allowing for public tastings around the country to help decide on finalists.
Mr Hughes said the opportunity to speak with other winemakers during the judging was also invaluable.
“We often talk about seeing what other people do and picking up other things. This project is a culmination of many years of picking up up others’ work,” he said.
“We got to chat with finalists and hear what others are doing around the country.”
It’s great to get some affirmation for what we’re trying to do...
- Jonathan Hughes
They are looking forward to their wines being introduced to a new audience via the Young Guns accolade.
“Any award promotes you to a new crowd. Young Guns is a long process through public tastings and I think that is the real strength of the competition,” Mr Hughes said.
“We got added exposure along the way too.”
The brothers planted the two-hectare vineyard in 2011 and are planning to expand with another one-and-a-half hectares in spring, but they have no plans to get too big.
“We’ll just make sure we keep doing things as well as we can.”
Touted as the world’s most rigorous talent search for young winemakers and new labels, Young Guns of Wine prides itself on finding the best young winemakers in the country, founder Rory Kent said.
“Winemakers are breaking ground with new varieties, and exploring new techniques, all in the search of more delicious wines made from our climate and for our palates,” Mr Kent said.
The 2018 Young Guns of Wine judges were Nick Stock, Mike Bennie, Caitlyn Rees, Emma Farrelly, Michael Downer of Murdoch Hill, Lisa Cardelli, Pip Anderson and Rory Kent.