Pig In The House received bronze awards for its Chardonnay and Shiraz and in the Other White Variety class, while the vineyard’s Family Reserve Shiraz and white Natural Wine also received bronze.

Windowrie winemaker Anthony D’Onise was pleased with the result, up against wines from Margaret River and the Adelaide hills.

“It’s something I’m really proud of. From an organic wine perspective and a Cowra wine region perspective every wine was awarded,” he said.

“I think it’s very important for our brand to have really consistent quality across the board.

“I love winning big awards with one wine but I think as far as creating a sustainable brand you are better off having every wine quite good.”

Anthony made the wines from grapes grown on the Windowrie vineyards about 20 kilometres from Cowra.

He said the Pig In The House range is popular in the local area.

“The Pig In The House wines are generally a fruity style of wine and nicely medium bodied which means they have enough flavors to be able to drink on their own but also has some savoriness on the pallet which means that they can pair really well with food,” he said.

The vineyard operates organically, with less fruit and a lower yield helping it produce a consistent quality and award winning wine, Anthony says.

“The way we manage our vineyards using organic practices is really important,” he said.

“If you have a more open, less vigorous, breezy canopy compared to a big hedge with heaps of fruit you’re going to have more success in growing a quality grapes and quality wine.”

Windowrie’s 2017 Pig In The House Rose, which is about to be bottled, is the vineyard’s next exciting drop.

And as for the name Pig In The House?

It comes from a tale about a former owner of a block of land nearby Windowrie Winery. He farmed free range pigs and allowed his prized sow in the house during the winter months.

Windowrie at Cowra Wine Show: