House of Arras: Takes Global Triumph at CSWWC 2024
House of Arras: Australia's Predominant Sparkling Icon Shines on the Global Stage
At the pinnacle of sparkling winemaking, House of Arras continues to cement its status as Australia’s most celebrated sparkling wine producer. With an extraordinary performance at the 2024 Champagne & Sparkling Wine World Championships (CSWWC), House of Arras brought home 6 of the 7 gold medals awarded to Australian wines and 8 of the 15 silver medals – a remarkable feat on the global stage. Out of 167 gold and 229 silver medals given internationally, the House of Arras stood out among the world’s finest sparkling wines.
The Man Behind House: Ed Carr
Ed Carr, a microbiologist turned winemaker - At the heart of this sparkling success is Ed Carr, Australia’s most awarded sparkling winemaker. Carr’s journey began in 1988, when he set out with a singular vision: to craft an Australian sparkling wine that could stand alongside the world’s best. His pursuit of excellence culminated in the founding of House of Arras in 1995, where his choice to exclusively source grapes from Tasmania marked a turning point. Carr saw Tasmania’s cool maritime climate as key to producing exceptional sparkling wines with complexity and balance. The region’s long, slow ripening season allows grapes to develop vivid flavors, a discovery that became the backbone of Arras' success.
Carr’s relentless commitment to quality was recognized on the world stage when he became the first non-Champenois to win the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2018 CSWWC and now Ed has been awarded the IWC Sparkling Winemaker of the Year 2024. “I’m incredibly honoured to be named this year’s Sparkling Winemaker of the Year. It’s a challenge to describe the feeling, but I’m proud to be recognised amongst my peers for such a significant international award,” Mr Carr said. His humility in receiving the awards speaks to the collaborative effort of his team, but his vision and expertise are the true driving forces behind House of Arras’ global acclaim. Carr's wines are crafted using Méthode Traditionnelle, the traditional French technique for sparkling wine, and undergo an extended aging process on lees, often exceeding a decade. This technique adds remarkable depth, complexity, and elegance to each vintage.
The Prestige of the Champagne & Sparkling Wine World Championships (CSWWC)
The Champagne & Sparkling Wine World Championships is widely regarded as the most respected and rigorous sparkling wine competition in the world. Judged exclusively by sparkling wine specialists like Tom Stevenson and Essi Avellan MW, this prestigious competition uses a blind-tasting process to evaluate sparkling wines from across the globe. Only silver and gold medals are awarded, making House of Arras’ success all the more impressive.
With nearly 1,000 entries from 20 countries, the 2024 CSWWC was a fiercely competitive event. House of Arras' performance—winning the majority of Australia’s gold and silver medals—reinforces its position as a leader in the sparkling wine industry. The CSWWC is known not only for promoting world-class wines but also for discovering exciting new sparkling wine regions, further highlighting the significance of Tasmania’s emergence on the global stage.
The Tapestry of Tasmanian Terroir & A Legacy of Excellence
Does the secret to House of Arras lie in Tasmania’s diverse terroir? From the Tamar Valley in the north to the Huon Valley in the south, each of the six vineyard regions provides a unique character that contributes to the overall tapestry of Arras’ wines. These pristine sites, with their varying climates and soil compositions, give Ed Carr the ideal conditions to craft sparkling wines that express the purity and finesse of Tasmania. Carr’s belief in the superiority of Tasmanian fruit led him to exclusively use Tasmanian grapes from 1998 onward, creating wines that reflect both their origin and the artistry of their maker
House of Arras has accumulated over 110 trophies and 290 gold medals, solidifying its reputation as Australia’s most awarded sparkling wine brand. In 2023, the brand was crowned Best Australian Sparkling Producer at the CSWWC, further cementing its legacy. Of the 11 gold medals awarded to Australian wines, 8 went to House of Arras, underscoring the brand’s dominance in the sparkling wine category(
2024 House of Arras CSWWC Medal-Winning Wines
House of Arras: Order Form
We are still waiting to hear back on pricing and quantities on a few of these wines, please feel free to put any wines you would like in the form below and we will contact you with the details as soon as possible.
Gold Medal Winners:
2008 E.J Carr Late Disgorged Magnum - $500
2014 Blanc de Blancs - $115
2006 Museum Release Blanc de Blancs - $115
2015 Grand Vintage - $115
2009 E.J Carr Late Disgorged - $236.00
2006 E.J Carr Late Disgorged - $236.00
Silver Medal Winners:
2015 Blanc de Blancs - $120
2005 Museum Release Blanc de Blancs - $115
2016 Grand Vintage - $115
2014 Grand Vintage - $115
2008 E.J Carr Late Disgorged - $238
2005 E.J Carr Late Disgorged -$238
2015 Vintage Rosé - $120
A Visionary Approach to Global Success
House of Arras continues to raise the bar for Australian sparkling wine, proving that Tasmania’s cool climate is perfect for creating world-class wines. Ed Carr’s philosophy of quality over quantity and his scientific approach to winemaking have positioned House of Arras as a global contender. From meticulous vineyard selection to the extended tirage aging process, each wine is crafted with precision and care.
As Ed Carr once humbly remarked, “We’ve built a philosophy of winemaking based on quality... It’s always been about attention to detail.” This commitment to excellence is what has propelled House of Arras to the top of the sparkling wine world.