In a stunning performance, a Chardonnay from the emerging region of Pemberton in WA's southwest impressed Australia's leading wine judges to be awarded four trophies including "Best White Table Wine of Show".

At last night's 2003 Perth Wine Show, the 2002 Houghton Pemberton Chardonnay triumphed over 1000 other white wines to take out the:

"Tom W Hardy Memorial Trophy" for Best White Table Wine of Show

"WA Wine Press Club Trophy" for Best WA Wine of Show "Amcor Fibre Packaging Trophy" for Best WA WhiteTable Wine of Show

"Grant & Knowles Trophy" for Best Chardonnay - Classes 3, 4, 14, 27 & 40

The Houghton Wine Company dominated the show, being awarded the "Bill Jamieson Trophy of WA (Inc)" for Most Successful WA Exhibitor.

Hardy Wine Company Group White Winemaker, Mr Paul Lapsley said the result was outstanding for Houghton and the Pemberton region.

"This award realises the outstanding potential of the Pemberton region for Chardonnay."

"It is the culmination of many years of work in the vineyard and winery, and follows on from the great performance of the 2001 release, which won 'Best Chardonnay' and 'Best One Year Old Dry White Wine' trophies at the Brisbane Wine Show last year," Mr Lapsley said.

"The varietal fruit characters of Chardonnay from Pemberton are not as rich and overt as Margaret River, nor in the tropical/passionfruit style from Mount Barker. Pemberton is so distinctly redolent of citrus, lemon/lime flavours with a purity of fruit that is not found anywhere else in WA", he said.

"Considering the competition at the show, this award has given us the confidence to continue to develop the style and explore fruit from the Pemberton region", Mr Lapsley said.

The Perth Wine Show was a great success for the Hardy wine group, which took out a total of nine trophies including:

Houghton Wine Company

• Bill Jamieson Trophy of WA Trophy (Inc)" for Most Successful WA Exhibitor
• 2003 Hardys Siegersdorf Riesling " Court Wine Bar Trophy" for Best Current Vintage Dry White Wine Classes 1 - 9
• 2003 Brookland Valley Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc " BWS - Beer Wine Spirits Trophy" for Best Sauvignon Blanc Classes 8 & 43
• 2000 Starvedog Lane Chardonnay Pinot Noir sparkling " Liquorland Australia Trophy" for Best Sparking White Wine of Show
• Lauriston Show Muscat " Wesfarmers Federation Insurance Trophy" for Best Fortified Wine of Show