The Mount Cotton-based winery secured a silver medal for its 2003 Vineyard Selection Pinot Gris, and three bronze medals for its 2001 Seven Scenes Shiraz, 2001 Seven Scenes Chardonnay, and 2001 Perfect Day Burnbelt.

The Pinot Gris, released in June, is from 100-percent Queensland fruit grown at Sirromet's Seven Scenes Vineyard on the Granite Belt. It has a recommended retail price of $16 and is Sirromet's first white wine bottled with Stelvin screw caps.

“As usual, the Cowra show attracted strong entries, but I’m not surprised our Pinot Gris stood out because it’s been well received in the marketplace by the public and wine critics,” said Sirromet Chief Winemaker Adam Chapman.

“Pinot Gris is a clean, crisp, fruity style to be consumed young and fresh. Last year we introduced it to the Sirromet range, and this year it's better again, possibly because the vines are older and we've done more research and development."

Sirromet’s 2001 Seven Scenes Shiraz which won a bronze medal at Cowra will be released later this year with a RRP of $25. It has a rich, intense chocolate aroma, with hints of fine Cuban cigars. Of the other bronze medallists, the 2001 Seven Scenes Chardonnay also has a RRP of $25, while the 2001 Perfect Day Burnbelt, a blend of 87-percent Shiraz and 13-percent Cabernet Sauvignon, has an RRP of $12.

The success at the Cowra show lifted Sirromet’s medal and awards tally to 119 since it commenced operations in mid-2000.

Another recent medal for Sirromet was a bronze for its 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon at the Royal Queensland Wine Show in July. Queensland’s biggest winery has also been awarded a four star rating by influential national magazine ‘Winestate’ for its 2002 Vineyard Selection Semillon.

Sirromet has three vineyards, one at its headquarters at Mount Cotton, plus Seven Scenes and St Judes at Ballandean on the Granite Belt.SIRROMET REVS UP WITH V8 SUPERCAR PROMOTION

Sirromet Wines is launching a major promotion to support its sponsorship of V8 Supercar driver Paul Morris at Queensland’s biggest sporting event, the Lexmark Indy 300 on the Gold Coast in October.

Prizes in the promotion, titled ‘The Ultimate Adrenalin Rush’ include three-day passes to the race meeting on the streets of Surfers Paradise from October 24-26, plus three nights accommodation at Seaworld’s Nara Resort, and the opportunity to ride as a passenger with Morris for ‘hot laps’ in his Sirromet Wines VY Holden Commodore.

Entries for the promotion are open to anyone purchasing a bottle of Sirromet wine from approximately 600 participating liquor outlets in south-east Queensland between August 1-September 30. The winner will be drawn on October 17.

Morris will race his 600-horsepower Commodore on the Gold Coast in the V8 Supercar Championship round, which shares top billing on the Lexmark Indy 300 programme with the Bridgestone presents Champ Car World Series powered by Ford event, organised by Indianapolis-based Championship Auto Racing Teams (CART).

“The prizes in this promotion are fantastic for those wanting to join in the Gold Coast party atmosphere at (Lexmark) Indy (300) time,” said Morris. “Also, the chance to get strapped inside a V8 Supercar and feel first-hand what these cars are like in race mode is something that doesn’t come around very often.”

SIRROMET WINES LOCATION: 850-938 Mount Cotton Road, Mount Cotton, Queensland 4165. Tel: (07) 3206-2999. Website: http://www.sirromet.com