Etched satin glass on a wooden base. The piece is designed and produced in Australia by Graham Stone. The inspiration for the work is sedimentary rock and the fascination of palaeontology. The earlier life forms are shown at the base of the trophy, successive forms appear as one moves up through the layers. All are organisms or parts of organisms which have existed on earth and some, are unique to Australia. The etching of so many different creatures inevitably involves considerable detail but the overall design seeks to be simple and elegant with subtle contrasts of texture and light refraction. The result is intended to be a unique trophy.
Awarded For: Awarded for best Other Red Blend.
Donated By: Donated by the Australian Wine and Brandy Corporation and first presented in 1990 in recognition of John Swann, Chairman of the USA Exporters Committee at the time of his death in 1989. The Trophy was commissioned in recognition of John's service to the industry. Until 2014 this trophy was awarded for Premium Dry Red Wine. In 2014 it was awarded to the Exhibitor of the best Shiraz/Grenache/Mouvedre or blends thereof. In 2015 it was awarded to Best Shiraz Dominant Blend.
| Name | Year |
|---|---|
| Seaview Winery Pty Ltd | 1990 |
| Lindemans Wines Pty Ltd | 1991 |
| Woodley Wines | 1992 |
| Great Western Champagne Pty Ltd | 1993 |
| Hardy Wine Co. | 1994 |
| Penley Estate | 1995 |
| Wynns Coonawarra Estate | 1996 |
| Penfolds Wines Pty Ltd | 1997 |
| Rosemount Estate Pty Ltd | 1998 |
| Orlando Wines | 1999 |
| Dorrien Estate Wines | 2000 |
| B Seppelt & Sons Pty Ltd | 2001 |
| Wildflower Ridge | 2002 |
| Tatachilla Winery Pty Ltd | 2003 |
| Chateau Reynella | 2004 |
| Greg Norman Estates - Greg Norman Estates Reserve Cabernet (2002) | 2005 |
| Thorn-Clarke Wines - Thorn-Clarke Shotfire Shiraz (2004) | 2006 |
| Mildara Wines Ltd - Mildara Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz (2004) | 2007 |
| Tintara - Tintara Blewitt Springs Shiraz (2005) | 2008 |
| Chateau Reynella - Chateau Reynella Shiraz (2006) | 2009 |
| Pinhooker Pty Ltd - Collector Reserve Shiraz (2008) | 2010 |
| Yabby Lake Vineyard - Yabby Lake Vineyard Pinot Noir (2009) | 2011 |
| Best's Wines P/L - Bests Great Western Shiraz Bin 0 (2010) | 2012 |
| Devil's Lair Pty Ltd - Margaret River Hidden Cave Cabernet Shiraz (2011) | 2013 |
| Rosemount Estate Pty Ltd - GSM (2012) | 2014 |
| Bleasdale Vineyards - Broadside (2013) | 2015 |
| Bleasdale Vineyards – GSM 2015 | 2016 |
| Not Awarded | 2017 |
| Stephen Pannell Wines Pty Ltd - S.C. Pannell Tempranillo Touriga (2016) | 2018 |
| Hardys Tintara - Grenache Shiraz Mataro (2017) | 2019 |
| No Competition - Show Cancelled | 2020 |
| De Bortoli Wines - Villages Tempranillo Touriga (2020) | 2021 |
| Shingleback - Davey Estate Tempranillo Touriga (2021) | 2022 |
| St Hugo - Grenache Shiraz Mataro (2022) | 2023 |
| St Hugo - Barossa Grenache Shiraz Mataro (2023) | 2024 |