ORFORD couple Aaron and Rebecca Rowbottom have had a win again with their ultrafine merino wool, this time taking out the esteemed Ermenegildo Zegna Vellus Aureum Trophy for the first time with a 10.1 Merino wether fleece.

The couple farm at ‘Myndarra’ in Orford and were present at the prestigious celebration to accept their award from Ermenegildo Zegna Group director, Paolo Zegna in Sydney last week.

The Rowbottoms’ 0.8 kilogram entry won ahead of the 11 micron entry of Danny and Megan Picker from Hillcreston Park, Bigga, New South Wales, who claimed second place.

The Rowbottom’s kept the winning streak in the family with third place going to last year’s winner, the ‘Rowensville’ flock, owned by Aaron’s parents, David and Susan Rowbottom, who entered a 10-micron fleece.

Impressively, David and Susan Rowbottom stake claim to the world record for the finest fleece (9.4 micron) ever entered in the competition.

Rebecca grew up in Penshurst, well-surrounded by merino studs, while Aaron grew up at his parents’ ultrafine merino property.

The couple met in the town of Warrnambool while Aaron was finishing a trade apprenticeship and Rebecca was working in aged care.

‘Myndarra’ is full of history but has been significantly downsized from its original large acreage, once part of the 18,600-acre ‘Dunmore’ station.

Multiple divisions since World War I have left just 97 acres surrounding the homestead and buildings.

One of those buildings has given the Rowbottoms the opportunity to run a small number of housed ultrafine Merinos, specifically to enter the fleece competition.

Aaron said as a family they were thrilled that this time round they won the competition six years after first entering.

“We were a bit surprised to win - obviously my parents have won several times and won last year,” he said.

“The judges are after a very fine fleece - it’s a fine fleece competition.

“They’re looking for a finer fleece but they’re also looking for good character and style.

“The main thing on the score card that you get to read is the micron and the weight.

“You get scored on both of those - everything else is up to the judges’ discretion. They also test for soundness.

“It’s a nice big plate to take home - it’s in a spot on the bookshelf at the moment.”