Winners Announced at the 2011 Clear Image Hunter Valley Wine Show

The 2011 Clear Image Hunter Valley Wine Show has awarded trophies to some of the region’s most prestigious wineries and up and coming entrants with Tyrrell’s Vineyards being awarded Best Dry White Wine of the Show and Thomas Wines taking out the Best Dry Red Wine of the Show.

Respected Hunter Valley wineries to collect trophies included Audrey Wilkinson, Ivanhoe Wines, Thomas Wines, Ernest Hill, Pepper Tree Wines, Pooles Rock Wines, Tyrrell’s Vineyards, Drayton’s Family Wines, Tempus Two, Allandale Winery and Wombat Crossing Vineyard.

This year 732 wines from 92 exhibitors were judged. 18 respected wine industry personalities led by Iain Riggs immersed their senses in Hunter Valley wine to choose the winners. Judges included Nick Stock and Nick Bulleid, highly credentialed authors, wine journalists and judges. Paul Lapsley, Senior winemaker (and judge) for Accolade Wine Group was also among the judges along with wine journalists Jane Faulkner and Mike Bennie, plus senior Hunter Valley winemakers Samantha Connew, Sarah Crowe and Jeff Byrne. 

Chairman of Judges, Iain Riggs said the 2011 Hunter Valley Wine Show saw half of the entries awarded medals, which is on par with previous shows.

“There were 52 gold, 74 Silver and 237 Bronze medals. A most pleasing aspect of the Gold winners is that they were shared between 29 wineries, representing the older family wineries right through to new entrants to the wine industry,” Mr Riggs said.

“Once again Semillon dominated the results, receiving 27 of the gold medals highlighting what this area does best – winning medals from 2011 right back to 1999. Shiraz followed this with 15 Gold medals then Chardonnay and Verdelho. The strength of the 2009 Shiraz was also a major highlight of the show,” continued Mr Riggs.

“On the Trophy front, an array of producers with 11 wineries taking home 19 trophies between them. Congratulations to all winners.”

International Judge Chuck Hayward said, “I have had the fortune of visiting the Hunter Valley a few times and this visit has only reconfirmed to me what a special place this is.  The wines of the Hunter Valley have unique attributes that other wine regions would die for.”

“The region has a rich history: old vines that transmit terroir and the first winemakers who started the Hunter Valley wine industry decades ago. There are people, from those winemakers who first showed the wine world the potential of Hunter Valley wines, both reds and whites, from personalities like Len Evans of the past, Iain Riggs today and all the young winemakers who judged the Wine Show who will be part of the Hunter Valley's future. The Hunter Valley has wines that are unique to the Hunter that cannot be duplicated anywhere else on the planet,” Mr. Hayward said.

The Clear Image Hunter Valley Wine Show this year celebrates its 29th year and is widely regarded as the country’s leading regional show. It has a strict regional focus and is exclusively for wines whose grapes are grown in the Hunter Valley.

A first for the Wine Show this year, people will be able to preview and try the award winning wines at the Hunter Valley Wine Show Masterclasses in Sydney on October 12 and 13 during the Hunter Valley Uncorked Festival.

The Masterclasses, being held at Etch and Three Weeds Restaurants Sydney, will be run by a Hunter Valley Wine Show 2011 Judge and Trophy winning winemakers. It will include four flights of four gold/trophy wines each matched to four tasting courses prepared by the restaurant chefs. Tickets cost $110pp to include wines, tasting menu and structured tuition with Winemakers and Judges.

For a full month’s program, individual event details, and tickets visit:

www.huntervalleyuncorked.com.au

Trophies were officially presented at The Clear Image Hunter Valley Wine Show Celebrations Luncheon held at Tyrrell’s Winery on Friday, 19 August with an audience of 400 local wine industry colleagues.

Full list of trophy winners:

Current Vintage – Semillon
Audrey Wilkinson Vineyard 2011 The Ridge Semillon (Entry 26-25)

Current Vintage – Chardonnay
No Trophy Awarded

Current Vintage - Verdelho

Ivanhoe Wines 2011 Verdelho (Entry 6-29)

Current Vintage – Dry White Wine – Other White Varietals & Blends
No Trophy Awarded 

Current Vintage Dry White Wine
Audrey Wilkinson Vineyard 2011 The Ridge Semillon

One-Year-Old Dry Red Wine
Ernest Hill Wines 2010 Shareholders Shiraz

Most Successful Exhibitor of Young Wines

– Current Vintage Dry White Wines & One-Year-Old Dry Red Wines
Pepper Tree Wines

One-Year-Old Dry White Wine
Pooles Rock Wines 2010 Chardonnay

Two-Year-Old Dry Red Wine
Thomas Wines 2009 Sweetwater Shiraz

Premium Vintage Dry Red Wine
Thomas Wines 2009 Sweetwater Shiraz (Entry 13-47)

Premium Vintage Dry White Wine
Tyrrell’s Vineyards Pty Ltd 2006 Vat 1 Semillon (Entry 15-36)

Premium Vintage Sweet White Wine
No Trophy Awarded

Premium Vintage Sparkling Wine
No Trophy Awarded

Premium Vintage Fortified Wine
Drayton’s Family Wines NV Liqueur Verdelho

Museum Vintage Dry Red Wine
No Trophy Awarded

Museum Vintage Dry White Wine
Tempus Two Wines 2003 Zenith Semillon (Entry 22-9)

Dry Red Wine – Currently Available
Class 21 is ineligible for judging in this category
Thomas Wines 2009 Sweetwater Shiraz

Dry White Wine – Currently Available
Class 22 is ineligible for judging in this category
Allandale Winery 2007 Semillon

Best Chardonnay - Any Vintage
Pooles Rock Wines 2010 Chardonnay

Best Named Vineyard Wine
Thomas Wines 2007 Cellar Reserve Braemore Semillon

Best 100% Hunter Valley Dry Red Wine
Wombat Crossing Vineyard 2009 Hermit’s Block Shiraz (Entry 31-19)

Best 100% Hunter Valley Dry White Wine
Thomas Wines 2007 Cellar Reserve Braemore Semillon (Entry 32-22)

Best Dry White Wine of the Show
Class 22 is ineligible for judging in this category
Tyrrell’s Vineyards Pty Ltd 2006 Vat 1 Semillon (Entry 15-36)

Best Dry Red Wine of the Show
Class 21 is ineligible for judging in this category
Thomas Wines 2009 Sweetwater Shiraz

Full results will be available from 22 August online at www.hunterwineshow.com.au

Media Inquiries:

For further information, interviews and photo opportunities please call Candaice Moss on 9770 0999 or 0438 180 900 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.