Winemaker of the Year Selection Panel

1. Chair of the Hunter Valley Wine Industry Awards Committee – (or alternate from the Hunter Valley Wine Industry Awards Committee).

2. Representative of the HVWIA (either appropriate Sub-Committee Chairperson or President).

3. 2011 Winemaker of the Year.

4. Media Representative.

5. Industry Patron.

6. Living Legend (appropriate to this field).

NB : there is to be no more than one representative per company per selection panel.

Winemaker of the Year Selection Criteria

This award recognises an outstanding Hunter Valley winemaker, who is a leader in their profession. The Winemaker of the Year recognises in particular, the previous calendar year's achievements, with consideration to all previous achievements.

• Level of experience and/or qualification in winemaking.
• Winemaking technique, experimentation or individual style, resulting in any uniqueness in wine styles produced. Please outline your personal highlights in terms of your direct involvement in the production of Hunter Valley wines over the previous calendar year.
• Wine show judging or other acknowledgment or recognition of skill as an assessor of wine quality.
• Show awards, or other recognition, or review, or ranking by respected media or Associations.
• Ambassadorial marketing work for the winery, and/or similar on behalf of the Hunter Valley Wine Industry generally.

Viticulturist of the Year Selection Panel

1. Chair of the Hunter Valley Wine Industry Awards Committee – (or alternate from the Hunter Valley Wine Industry Awards Committee).

2. Representative of the HVWIA (either appropriate Sub-Committee Chairperson or President).

3. 2011 Viticulturist of the Year.

4. Media Representative.

5. Industry Patron.

6. Living Legend (appropriate to this field).

NB : there is to be no more than one representative per company per selection panel.

Viticulturist of the Year Selection Criteria

An Award to an outstanding Viticulturist involved in the management of Hunter Valley vineyards. The Award recognises that any outstanding wine starts with good vineyard management resulting in quality grapes. The Viticulturist of the Year recognises in particular the previous calendar year's achievements with consideration to all previous achievements.

• Proven vineyard management skills that have resulted in wines being consistently recognised by awards or respected media coverage.
• Any research and development undertaken to improve the quality of vineyards in the nominees charge.
• Any vineyard/s that have achieved single vineyard status in the care of the nominee.

Whilst not essential to the criteria please note any work undertaken by the nominee on behalf of the industry, through a committee or Association, be it promotional or research resulting in better vineyard management practice for the Hunter Valley as a whole.

 

Rising Star of the Year Selection Panel

1. Chair of the Hunter Valley Wine Industry Awards Committee – (or alternate from the Hunter Valley Wine Industry Awards Committee).

2. Representative of the HVWIA (either appropriate Sub-Committee Chairperson or President).

3. 2011 Rising Star of the Year.

4. Media Representative.

5. Industry Patron.

6. Living Legend (appropriate to this field).

NB : there is to be no more than one representative per company per selection panel.

Rising Star of the Year Selection Criteria

This award recognises an aspiring star of the Hunter Valley Wine Industry. This person may be involved in winemaking, vineyard management, marketing or sales. This award is for achievements over the period January 2011 to December 2011.

• An outstanding contribution over the preceding twelve months, showing results and achievements.
• Above average representation or achievement of results for the nominee's employer.
• Representation of the Hunter Valley Wine Industry generally, resulting in raising the profile of the Hunter Valley.
• The nominee could be a young person, or someone whose Hunter Valley star is in the ascendancy.

 

Cellar Door of the Year Selection Panel

1. Chair of the Hunter Valley Wine Industry Awards Committee – (or alternate from the Hunter Valley Wine Industry Awards Committee).

2. Representative of the HVWIA (either appropriate Sub-Committee Chairperson or President).

3. 2011 Cellar Door of the Year representative.

4. Media Representative.

5. Industry Patron.

6. Living Legend (appropriate to this field).

NB : there is to be no more than one representative per company per selection panel.

Cellar Door of the Year Selection Criteria

The public perception and profile of our wine industry is influenced by experiences at our cellar doors. The award recognises excellence at a Hunter Valley cellar door. To be eligible for entry the cellar door must be open for visitation without appointment and demonstrate:

• The discernible promotion of Hunter Valley wines.
• Active involvement in wine/tourism industry activities and events.
• Cellar door staff must exhibit exemplary wine knowledge of the Hunter Valley, and in general local knowledge, and the ability to sell the Hunter Valley brand.

The External & Independent Judging Process:

The Cellar Door Selection Panel will short list a number of cellar doors who will then be visited anonymously by external and independent judges. The judging visitor/s will award points for:

• Customer Service (major point weighting), including welcome and overall friendliness, tasting experience, wine knowledge of staff, local knowledge, and positive referral to other cellar doors. 
• External presentation of signage, entry, parking, landscaping etc.
• Internal facilities including layout of cellar door, amenities, tasting area etc.
• Other services offered, e.g. up selling to include wine club and other direct marketing, dinners, wine education classes etc.