Damien Cofield and marketing manager Bron Tyrell are thrilled Cofield Wines took home the coveted Halliday People's Choice Best Winery Experience Award for 2024.
The 2024 Halliday Wine Companion Awards recently brought together the crème de la crème of the wine industry with Cofield Wines and All Saints Estate flying the flag proudly for the Rutherglen region.
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Cofield Wines took home the coveted Halliday People’s Choice Best Winery Experience Award for 2024. After more than 8000 votes across 802 wineries, Cofield Wines was nominated for its outstanding cellar door service, quality of wines, value for money and “amazing events”.
Winemaker and owner Damien Cofield says the entire Cofield team has contributed to winning the 2024 People’s Choice Award.
“This award demonstrates that the hard work our team continually put in to produce excellent wine, exceptional customer service and unique winery experiences is appreciated and noticed,” he said.
“We’ve worked hard on our brand loyalty, and connection and customer relationships, and it’s great to see that work paying off.
“Halliday has a great reputation in the Australian Wine Industry so to be recognised by the public indicates that we are doing something right.
Cofield Wines is a family owned and operated winery that was established by Max and Karen Cofield in 1990. Second generation and current owners Damien and Melanie Cofield took over the reins in 2007, and the next generation of Cofield Wines is Damien and Melanie’s daughter Ava – who is studying Oenology and Viticulture at Adelaide University.
“We are extremely passionate about what we do, and we feel this is reflected in our wines,” Damien said.
“Our aim is to make the best wine possible in a sustainable way. We believe in investing in our local community and in our people for the betterment of all. We give to our community and strive for excellence in customer service.”
Last week, the Cofield team celebrated not only their Halliday Award achievement but also being finalists in the upcoming Albury Wodonga Business Awards, the refurbishment of their restaurant and completing their sustainability accreditation for the winery.
“It’s a really exciting time for our team,” Damien said. “We are always looking in which we can improve our offerings and we thrilled to be celebrating a few wins.”
All Saints Estate wins ‘Fortified Wine of the Year’
Continuing the Rutherglen legacy of excellence, All Saints Estate secured the “Fortified Wine of the Year” award at the 2024 Halliday Wine Companion Awards.
The highly acclaimed NV All Saints Estate Rutherglen Museum Muscat earned a perfect score of 100 points, a testament to the fourth-generation winemaker Nicholas Brown’s dedication to crafting exceptional fortified wines.
This masterpiece, a blend of rare stocks matured for over a century, boasts a rich treacle-like hue and an intense aroma.
Angela, Nick and Eliza Brown at last Wednesday’s Halliday Wine Companion awards night last Wednesday.
Esteemed wine writer Jeni Port described the Museum Muscat as a “symphony of flavours, featuring treacle, raisins, dried fig, butterscotch toffee, honey, and nutty nougat, all expertly harmonised by the skilled blender’s touch”.
“These old wines have been looked after by four or five generations over time and I am the current caretaker of it,” Nick told the Free Press. “It reflects the very special history of the place and the area.”
“It’s a great pat on the back and wonderful recognition for all the team. It’s also a nod to the past winemakers and custodians.”
All Saints Estate also retained its prestigious Five Red Stars accreditation for the sixteenth consecutive year and additionally, was nominated for the title of ‘2024 Winery of The Year’.
Nick expressed his appreciation for the nomination and highlighted the winery’s modern approach to grape growing and winemaking which has led to the creation of more aromatic and fruit-forward styles of wines.
“Just to be nominated was an incredible endorsement,” he said.
“It means we are now known not only for our beautiful, fortified wines but our fresh, balanced, new-generation table wines. A more modern approach to grape growing and winemaking allows All Saints Estate to showcase more aromatic and fruit-forward styles of wines.
“In my personal view, Halliday is the chief of wine critiques in Australia and a lot of the wine industry use those results as an overall benchmark.”
