The Bushing Monarch is an annual title awarded to the winemaker of highest scoring individual wine at the McLaren Vale Wine Show. Established in 1973, the winner is crowned the "Bushing King" or "Bushing Queen" until they are disrobed when the next winner is announced.
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Controversy
Greg Trott was crowned Bushing King in 1984 following the abdication of Geoff Merrill after the winning wine was found to be outside the parameters for entry.
Wassail
Part of the "coronation" tradition has been the local singing of a Wassail:
'Tis for love of wine we sing,
Glory to the Bushing King,
'Tis for love of wine we sing,
Glory to the Bushing King,
On your feet now, to the beat now
Off your arses, charge your glasses,
Let us make the rafters ring -
Glory to the Bushing King!
ALL HAIL! WASSAIL!