It was an afternoon of celebration in the Hunter Valley at the 39th annual Clear Image Hunter Valley Wine Show held in #semsational surrounds in the Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley garden marquee last Friday, 16 August 2013. More than 390 local winemakers and crew were witness to the presentation of 23 trophies for what’s being named one of the Hunter Valley’s best wine shows in years, on the back of a standout Semillon vintage, 2013.
It was the year for celebration, with Audrey Wilkinson and Pepper Tree Wines taking out the two big gongs – Audrey Wilkinson Museum Reserve Semillon 2006 for the Best Dry White Wine of the Show and Pepper Tree Wines Limited Release Shiraz 2011 for the Best Dry Red Wine of the Show.
Tyrrell’s Vineyards was named Most Successful Exhibitor, while the second wine to be named “Iain Riggs Wine of Provenance” (an award introduced in 2012) was awarded to Tulloch Wines for Hector of Elgin for the 1994, 2006 and 2011 vintages.
A team of respected wine show judges led by Jim Chatto in his second year as Chair of Judges immersed themselves in 730 Hunter Valley wines from 78 producers last week in Singleton. Judges included International guest judge, critic, wine buyer, Champagne Ambassador and Master of Wine, Ned Goodwin, visiting judges Mike Bennie and Russell Cody and winemakers Sam Connew, Tom Carson, Corinna Wright, Chris Tyrrell, and Andrew Thomas.
“This year 49 Gold, 80 Silver and 221 Bronze medals, and 23 trophies were awarded and there was an excellent sharing of the silverware across 12 companies in a show that is traditionally dominated by a handful of players from large and small wineries. The range of wines and brands awarded today truly represents all the great things that we as a region are collectively doing. "Congratulations to all winners” Mike De Iuliis, Vice President of Hunter Valley Wine and Tourism Association says.
Jim Chatto, Chair of Judges said of his second year as Chair of Judges, “Having judged and made wine in the Hunter Valley for countless years, I have to say that this year's show was definitely a highlight. A real pleasure to judge wines from outstanding 2011 and 2013 vintages. Perhaps some of the greatest Semillons coming out of the Hunter in recent history. I’d like to particularly thank the Hunter producers for making and submitting such standout wines. It was also a pleasure to judge unique styles not only of Shiraz, Semillons and Chardonnays but also more emerging varieties like Barbera and Fiano which stood out this year. The best wines demonstrated hallmark Hunter character and refinement as only the Hunter Valley can achieve.”
The Clear Image Hunter Valley Wine Show this year celebrated its 39th year and is widely regarded as the country’s leading regional show. It has a strict regional focus and is exclusively for wines made with grapes grown in the Hunter Valley.
A special VIP trade and media tasting hosted by 2013 Hunter Valley Wine Show judges and winemakers featuring the award-winning wines will be held in Melbourne on 10 September and in Sydney on 11 September.
Full list of trophy winners:
Marshall Flannery Trophy
Current Vintage – Semillon
Thomas Wines 2013 Cellar Reserve Braemore Semillon
George Wyndham Memorial Trophy
Current Vintage – Chardonnay
No Trophy Awarded
J.Y. (Jay) Tulloch Trophy
Current Vintage - Verdelho
Two Rivers Wines 2013 Hidden Hive Verdelho
Current Vintage – Dry White Wine – Alternate White Varietals & Blends - Any Vintage
Mount Eyre Vineyards 2013 Three Pond Fiano
Henry John Lindeman Memorial Trophy
Current Vintage Dry White Wine
Thomas Wines 2013 Cellar Reserve Braemore Semillon
Alexander Munro Memorial Trophy
One-Year-Old Dry Red Wine
No Trophy Awarded
Singleton Council Trophy
Most Successful Exhibitor of Young Wines – Current Vintage Dry White Wines & One-Year-Old Dry Red Wines
Tyrrell’s Vineyards
Ed Jouault Memorial Trophy
One-Year-Old Dry White Wine
Tyrrell’s Vineyards 2012 Old Vines Chardonnay
Elliott Family Trophy
Two-Year-Old Dry Red Wine
Pepper Tree Wines 2011 Limited Release Shiraz
Dry Red Wine – Alternative Red Varietals & Blends – Any Vintage
Margan Family Wines 2011 Limited Release Barbera
James Busby Memorial Trophy
Premium Vintage Dry Red Wine
Pepper Tree Wines 2011 Limited Release Shiraz
McGuigan Family Trophy
Premium Vintage Dry White Wine
Agnew Wines Audrey Wilkinson 2006 Museum Reserve Semillon
Doug Galbraith Memorial Trophy
Premium Vintage Sweet White Wine
Margan Family Wines 2011 Botrytis Semillon
Premium Vintage Sparkling Wine
No Trophy Awarded
Trevor Drayton Memorial Trophy
Premium Vintage Fortified Wine
Drayton’s Family Wines Heritage Vines Liqueur Verdelho
John Lewis Newcastle Herald Trophy
Museum Vintage Dry Red Wine
Tinklers Vineyard 2005 U & I Shiraz
Graham Gregory Memorial Trophy
Museum Vintage Dry White Wine
Tempus Two Wines 2003 Copper Zenith Semillon
Hector Tulloch Memorial Trophy
Dry Red Wine – Currently Available
Pepper Tree Wines 2011 Limited Release Shiraz
Maurice O’Shea Memorial Trophy
Dry White Wine – Currently Available
Agnew Wines Audrey Wilkinson 2006 Museum Reserve Semillon
Murray Tyrrell Chardonnay Trophy
Best Chardonnay - Any Vintage
Tyrrell’s Vineyards 2012 Old Vines Chardonnay
Draytons Family Trophy
Best Named Vineyard – Dry Red Wine
Leogate Estate Wines 2011 Western Slopes Shiraz
Tyrrell’s Family Trophy
Best Named Vineyard – Dry White Wine
Tyrrell’s Vineyards 2007 HVD Semillon
Len Evans Trophy
Best Named Vineyard Wine
Leogate Estate Wines 2011 Western Slopes Shiraz
Petrie-Drinan Trophy
Best Dry White Wine of the Show
Agnew Wines Audrey Wilkinson 2006 Museum Reserve Semillon
Doug Seabrook Memorial Trophy
Best Dry Red Wine of the Show
Pepper Tree Wines 2011 Limited Release Shiraz
Iain Riggs Wines of Provenance
Tulloch Limited Release Hector of Glen Elgin Shiraz - 1994, 2006, 2011
Full results will be available from online at www.hunterwineshow.com.au
For media enquiries, interviews and photo opportunities please contact:- Kylie White, White Ink PH (02) 9439 1633 or (0401) 408 080 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.