2024 Dark Horse Winery
Anderson & Marsh – Alpine Valleys, Victoria
This is the award we give to a winery who has made it to the hallowed territory of 5-star winery status for the first time. It’s an exciting moment for them, and for all of us.
Of course Marsh and Anderson individually have been turning out fantastic wines for a long time now, which is why this pairing is such dream territory.
Three wines, two star winemakers, one label. It turns out that it’s a killer combination. The people involved are Eleana Anderson (of Mayford Wines) and Jo Marsh (of Billy Button Wines), two near-neighbours in the Alpine Valleys in North East Victoria with an enormous feel for grapes, the way they are grown, and the various ways they can be turned into wine.
Of course Marsh and Anderson individually have been turning out fantastic wines for a long time now, which is why this pairing is such dream territory. Anderson & Marsh entered three wines for this edition; their average score was 95. – Campbell Mattinson
Anderson & Marsh started when Elena Anderson approached Jo Marsh about making high-quality sparkling wine together. "The region has a really long history of sparkling wine growing, however very little of it is made and bottled within the region. Most of it gets trucked over state boundaries and blended away," says Elena.
Anderson & Marsh submitted tempranillo, albariño, and a blanc de blancs to the 2024 Companion. Elena says the proximity to the mountains in the Alpine Valleys region creates a unique set of viticultural conditions. "The myriad of mountain valleys that is the Alpine Valleys creates lots of different microclimates...The katabatic mountain winds, cool and nighttime temperatures in combination with the warm, sunny days, presents really optimal ripening conditions.
"We think of the Alpine Valleys as a bit of a secret within the wine industry. It's a hidden gem."
The two say being awarded Dark Horse Winery is recognition of the wine growing potential in the region. And that while the award is fabulous for the Anderson & Marsh label, it's even better for the Alpine Valleys. "Everything we do really is to try and promote this amazing region that we call home."
2024 Dark Horse Winery
Previous Dark Horse Winery recipients include Singlefile Wines (2014), Haselgrove Wines (2015), Terindah Estate (2016), Arlewood Estate (2017), Boat O’Craigo (2018), Principia (2019), Dal Zotto Wines (2020), Yarran Wines (2021), Renzaglia Wines (2022) and L.A.S. Vino (2023).
The 2024 Halliday Wine Companion is available now. Secure your copy of Australia's most comprehensive wine guide here – and at all good bookstores.
This is an edited extract from the 2024 Halliday Wine Companion, with reviews by James Halliday, Campbell Mattinson, Dave Brookes, Jane Faulkner, Jeni Port, Mike Bennie, Ned Goodwin MW, Philip Rich and Shanteh Wale. Cover art by Ka Mo.
