Sirromet Wins Two Categories At Queensland Lifestyle Awards
TUESDAY, MARCH 11: Sirromet Wines and it's on-site Restaurant Lurleen's both emerged category winners from public voting at The Courier-Mail Queensland Lifestyle Awards in Brisbane last night.
The eight category winners were announced at a presentation function at Mirra in Fortitude Valley, and results were determined by public voting from February 5-24.
Sirromet's wines claimed the honours in the category for 'Best Queensland Product'.
Restaurant Lurleen's, located at the winery's headquarters at Mount Cotton, won the 'Best Restaurant' category.
Sirromet Chief Winemaker Adam Chapman said winning the 'Best Queensland Product' category was significant because voting results reflected public endorsement of the quality of the company's wines.
"We have won gold medals from expert wine judges in competitions in Australia and overseas, but what makes this award so special is the public voted us number one," said Chapman, who attended the presentation function and accepted the award.
"Since opening in 2000 we have aimed to produce quality wines and voting in these awards confirms the public think we are heading in the right direction. This is great news."
Sirromet's wines, which include a newly-released 2007 820 Above Pinot Gris, are mostly made from fruit sourced from its 150-hectares of cool-climate vineyards at 820-metres altitude at Ballandean on Queensland's Granite Belt. The company has a further 12-hectares of vines at Mount Cotton.
"I've always said 80-percent of good wine is made in the vineyards, and the quality of our Granite Belt fruit allows our winemaking and viticulture teams to achieve the consistency you need to drive consumer confidence," said Chapman.
In 2007 Sirromet won 11 medals in overseas wine competitions, including two at the Decanter World Wine Awards in London, while in Australia the company's 2006 Petit Verdot sparkling claimed a gold medal and trophy for 'Best Sparkling' wine at The Courier-Mail Sofitel Brisbane Queensland Wine Awards in December.
Restaurant Lurleen's Executive Chef Andrew Mirosch said winning the 'Best Restaurant' category at last night's awards was memorable because of the high level of competition from other dining establishments.
"There are many excellent restaurants in Queensland, so this award recognises the efforts of our staff with food preparation, presentation, and customer service," said the seven-times American Express Gold Plate winner.
Mirosch, who heads a team of 15 chefs and apprentices who prepare 1,800 meals weekly, said a point of difference for diners at Lurleen's was the 220-seat restaurant overlooked Sirromet's vineyards, and out to Moreton Bay and Stradbroke Island.
"There is a 'WOW' factor with the view, plus our customers can combine the dining experience with wine tasting at cellar door before or after their meal," he said.
"Our menu is 'modern Australian' and we use regional and seasonal produce whenever possible. We know the fishermen, farmers, and producers in the regions because we deal with them regularly."
Regional produce from Queensland on the menu at Lurleen's can includes bugs, sand crab, tiger prawns and squid from Moreton Bay, king prawns from North Stradbroke Island, venison from Texas, free range chicken and cheeses from Kingaroy, and strawberries and exotic lettuce from the Redlands.
Lurleen's staff who attended last night's awards included Head Chef Andie Taylor, Sous Chef Tim Connell, Pastry Chef Victor Marmysz, Rob Morris, and Teresa Morris. Chief Executive Ross Elliott was also present.
The restaurant is open for lunch from 11.30am seven-days-a-week, and for dinner from 6pm on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. Breakfast is served from 9am to 10am Monday to Saturday, and Sundays from 8am to 10am.
Lurleen's won the 'Best Restaurant in a Winery' category at the Restaurant & Catering Queensland State Awards for Excellence for six successive years in 2002-03-04-05-06-07.
Sirromet is owned by Gold Coast businessman Terry Morris. The company's wines are available from cellar door at the winery, and in more than 800 bottle shops, restaurants, hotels, and resorts in Queensland, and nationally via the Beer Wine Spirits (BWS) liquor chain.
Media Enquiries: Mike Porter – Tel: (07) 5591-1773, (0417) 311-997. Fax: (07) 5591-4955. E-mail: mikep@qldnet.com.au
Sirromet Wines Location: 850-938 Mount Cotton Road, Mount Cotton, Queensland 4165. Telephone: (07) 3206-2999. E-mail: wines@sirromet.com
Sirromet Wines Website: www.sirromet.com
PHOTOGRAPHS: 300-dpi jpeg photographic images available for media/editorial use by e-mail from Mike Porter
