Larry Cherubino Wines, a tiny producer in Western Australia, has been named as James Halliday's Winery of the Year in the newly released 2011 Australian Wine Companion.
The winery produces only small volumes of high quality wine from the Frankland River, Margaret River and Pemberton regions, and was established in just 2005. It received the top gong over more than 1,487 wineries listed in Australia's most authoritative wine guide.
Cherubino was also this week awarded Producer of the Year in the 2011 edition of Matt Skinner's Wine Guide. While Halliday is the acknowledged doyen of Australian wine criticism, Skinner is the most exciting up-and-comer. That both have chosen the same winery as Australia's finest is quite an achievement.
"No other winery had such a percentage success rate. Is there a reason? Yes, for whether the wines are Riesling, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon Sauvignon Blanc, Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon or Cabernet Merlot, all have balance, line, length and, above all else, elegance. If this were not enough, every one of those varietal styles has at least one wine at 94 points or above," Halliday commented.
While Cherubino has received more than his share of glowing reviews over his winemaking career, the 40-year-old is justifiably elated, and a bit shocked by this latest double.
"To be named Winery of the Year in Halliday's Companion is quite possibly the highlight of my career - I've respected James for more than a decade and given the sheer volume of great wines he tastes every year I am blown away by this award", Cherubino said.
"And then for Matt Skinner to do likewise - well, that capped off a hell of a week."
Cherubino, and his wife Edwina, started Larry Cherubino Wines in 2005 and now have three ranges under the Yard, Ad Hoc and Cherubino labels.