That is how winemaker Bill Crowe neatly summed up the gut-wrenching feeling when last year's frost near wiped out the entire riesling crop at his Four Winds Vineyard in Murrumbateman.

Fast forward 12 months and you can't wipe the smile from his face after receiving 96 points and a gold medal at the Royal Melbourne Wine Awards last week.

The award winning 2014 Riesling unbelievably came from that same crop, which made it all the more satisfying for Mr Crowe.

"We can usually take out 30 tonnes but after [the frost] we only had six left," he told the Tribune.

"But the grapes we had left ripened well and allowed for a really intense flavour.

"It is great to know that we can make exciting wines out of tough vintages."

It is not the first time the vineyard has been recognised for its outstanding wines, but to win in Melbourne, representing the Cool Climate Wine Region and the Yass Valley was pretty special for the vintner.

"Yeah we're very proud. The Royal Melbourne Wine Awards is one of the most prestigious in the industry so to get in the top three with such esteemed company (Taylor’s Wines 97 points and Peter Lehmann Wines 96 points) is pretty special," he said.

Mr Crowe said it was also great to contribute to the ever growing reputation of the region's wines.

"This is just one good result of many for Murrumbateman wines and we're thrilled that we can play our part."