RUTHERGLEN winery Stanton and Killeen Wines is out of the blocks early with a strong start to the wine show season in a milestone year.
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Celebrating its 140th anniversary in 2015, the winery has already picked up a swag of medals and retained its prestigious James Halliday five red star winery status.
Nationwide just 282 wineries achieved this status from 3800 reviewed.
Stanton and Killeen chief executive officer Wendy Killeen said it was a fantastic result for the winery, which had embraced a fresh approach during its 140th year.
In December 2013 Ruston Prescott joined Stanton and Killeen as vineyard manager.
“Today, eighteen months on, our vineyards look better than ever,” Ms Killeen said.
“We have overhauled every aspect of our vineyards; the changed vineyard practices moving towards organic viticulture is enabling an environmentally sustainable pathway delivering unsurpassed fruit quality.”
Former Charles Sturt University winemaker Andrew Drumm joined the team as winemaker in August 2014.
“He has brought to the business exceptional winemaking skills and business credentials,” Ms Killeen said.
“Andrew has won myriad gold medals and trophies for his table and sparkling wines in recent years.”
Ms Killeen’s children, Simon and Natasha, are seventh-generation vignerons still actively involved in the family business.