The Canberra region's high-quality 2015 wine vintage will face the judges as two wine shows begin this week.
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The Australian Cool Climate Wine Show at Murrumbateman and the Canberra and Region Wine Show at Exhibition Park provide opportunities for the best drops to be compared as the next growing season begins.
Canberra District Wine Industry Association president John Leyshon said he and other wine producers had enjoyed an impressive past season, with a doubling in the weight of grapes produced on his own winery.
"It's been an absolute bumper, not only in quality but quantity, probably one of the best seasons we've ever had," he said.
"I think a lot of the 2015 Canberra region wines will do well in shows."
The cool climate event's manager and co-founder Virginia Rawling said more than 500 entries had been received from about 100 wineries across the country, down from a record 600-plus entries last year.
"We're getting them from the Mornington Peninsula, the whole of Tasmania, some from South Australia and Western Australia as well as NSW areas, including Mudgee and Goulburn," she said.
The long-time grower said bookings for the public tastings were up this year and there had been a strong response to the master classes being run at the event for the first time.
Sarah Andrew, of Melbourne's Cellar Door Wines, would teach people how to taste their wines.
A spokeswoman for the Canberra and region show said there had been 260 entries, down about 50 from last year, with the smaller numbers attributed to tight economic conditions.
Mr Leyson said budburst for his sangiovese grapes was expected next week, about a week earlier than the long-term average, with his malbec and shiraz varieties to follow soon after.
He said the fact that Canberra had its coldest winter in 15 years would not affect the coming season, but growers remained cautious about a late frost.
The Cool Climate Wine Show is available to the public through ticketed master classes on Wednesday and Saturday, an awards night on Friday and tasting from 11am-4pm on Saturday. The Canberra and region show, which is not open to the public, runs from September 21-25.
