We are thrilled to have been awarded theTrophy for Best Sauvignon Blancat the recent 2025 Orange Wine Show. The Trophy and Gold Medal were awarded to our Cooks Lot 'Allotment 689' Sauvignon Blanc. This comes on the back of the Trophy win for the Best Sauvignon Blanc at the NSW Small Winemakers Wine Show for the same win.

The process of barrel fermenting reds is highly labour-intensive. “You have to be half crazy to do it,” Duncan laughed. “It’s an enormous amount of work, and expensive, but the results speak for themselves. It’s gentler on the fruit than plunging, which can over-extract tannins. The result is softer tannins, beautiful secondary and charcuterie characters, and greater colour stability in the wine.”

Duncan recently caught up with Wine Commentator, Judge and Sommelier, Shanteh Wale on her popular podcast Over a Wineglass. Click on the link below to listen to Duncan chat about all things Orange and Cooks Lot.