2025 Rowe Estate Wilyabrup Chardonnay

About the Winemaker: Richard Rowe

Richard Rowe is one of Australia’s great winemakers, with an extraordinary international show record earned across some of the wine world’s most respected competitions.

These are not the sort of statistics you will easily find on a website, but we have done the homework. By our estimate, Richard’s career show record includes more than 150 international trophies and 400 international gold medals, spanning Australia, South Africa, London and beyond.

His record includes some of the highest honours in Australian wine, including the Jimmy Watson Memorial Trophy, Best Red Wine of Show at Sydney, Best Red Wine of Show at Adelaide, and major trophies from leading international competitions.

Career Highlights

150+ International Trophies
Including the Jimmy Watson Memorial Trophy, Best Red Wine of Show at both Adelaide and Sydney, plus major honours in South Africa and London.

400+ International Gold Medals
A remarkable record across multiple countries, varieties and wine styles.

KWV, South Africa
Most Successful Exhibitor at the Veritas Wine Awards in 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014. The Veritas Awards are South Africa’s longest-running and most prestigious wine and brandy competition.

Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show, South Africa
Most Successful Exhibitor in 2012 and 2014. The Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show is one of South Africa’s premier wine competitions, recognising the finest Cape wines and the achievements of the country’s leading winemakers.

Evans & Tate, Margaret River
Most Successful West Australian Exhibitor at the 2008 Perth Wine Show.
Most Successful Exhibitor at the Margaret River Wine Show in 2005 and 2006.
Best Wine of Show at the 2005 Margaret River Wine Show for the 2004 Evans & Tate Margaret River Chardonnay.

Sydney Wine Show, 2008
Dr Gilbert Phillips Trophy for Best Red Wine of Show, awarded to the 2005 Evans & Tate Reserve Shiraz.

Jimmy Watson Memorial Trophy
Awarded for the 1994 Leasingham Classic Clare Shiraz.

International Wine & Spirit Competition, London, 1996
Chris Hancock Trophy for Best Shiraz and Wolf Blass Trophy for Best Australian Dry Red, awarded to the 1994 Leasingham Classic Clare Shiraz.

San Francisco Wine Fair, 1995
Best of Nation, Australia, awarded to the 1993 Leasingham Classic Clare Shiraz.

Winestate Wine of the Year, 2000
Awarded to the 1997 Leasingham Classic Shiraz.

Adelaide Wine Show, 2000
Max Schubert Trophy, awarded to the 1996 Leasingham Classic Shiraz.