A GOLD medal could be just the start for Eurongilly’s newest export.
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Coe and Co Wines was judged best at the Chinese Wine and Spirit Awards (CWSA) for their Leaning Cow 2014 shiraz.
Competitors at CWSA include film director Francis Ford Coppla and scotch distillers Dewar and Sons.
Grown under the shadow of Cooba mountain on Cooba East Station, it’s the first time the drop has been entered in a wine show and marks the arrival of the shire’s newest product.
It’s been a long road to market but owners Karen and Jim Coe said there’s unique story behind the brand.
“We had the toughest set of conditions when we started, we bought the property just as the drought hit (in 2002),” Mrs Coe said.
“We were trying to grow grapes with dry land irrigation, relying on the water catchment off the hills,” Mr Coe said.
The first crops were used to supply a larger winery and developing their own brand has always been a goal.
“Where we are is a really good area to grow grapes, there’s little summer rainfall and generally good spring rain,” Mr Coe said.
“It’s not humid so we can avoid disease outbreaks … we can produce sustainable grapes without much spraying.”
Helping bring the entire package together is the summer breeze at 10pm which allows extra time for the fruit to ripen.
During the off-season cows graze the vineyard providing effective weed control and fertiliser.
“We want to try and keep it environmentally sustainable without compromising the quality of the grapes,” Mr Coe said.
In addition to the gold medal for their Leaning Cow shiraz, the Leaning Cow reserve has been selected to represent the southern region at the Sydney Royal Easter Show.
It’s one of four wines selected from the state’s southern region.
Locals can get a taste of the Leaning Cow at Junee’s Rhythm ‘n’ Rail Festival this weekend.
“We’re excited to be a part of the Rhythm ‘n’ Rail Festival … it’s a big event which draws a lot of people from around the state,” Mr Coe said.