PRESS RELEASE: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
27 October 2020
The Hunter Valley in full flight on the 2020 Wine Show Circuit
Despite so much talk of doom and gloom in 2020, the Hunter Valley spirit is well and truly intact following the announcement that the Best Wine in NSW in 2020 reigns from the Hunter Valley.
Last Friday at a prestigious awards ceremony held in Sydney at the ICC, the 2020 ICC Sydney NSW Wine Awards top 18 trophies were announced and the ultimate Trophy – the NSW Governor’s 2020 Best in Show was awarded to Briar Ridge 2018 Dairy Hill Single Vineyard Hunter Valley Semillon (RRP $35). This outstanding wine, also named NSW Best Semillon, was made by Gwyn Olsen with Alex Beckett.
Briar Ridge was not alone in its successes, with De Iuliis Wines 2018 LDR Vineyard Shiraz Touriga Nacional (RRP $40) being awarded the trophy for the Best Red Blend and Margan Wines taking home the trophy for Best Other Red Variety for its Margan 2019 Saxonvale Mourvedre (RRP $50). Mount Pleasant was also awarded the trophy for Best Fortified for its Mount Pleasant NV Tawny Port Syrah (RRP $60).
Dave Brookes, Chair of Judges in his fourth and final year at the helm of the state wine show commented in his post judging synopsis “The Hunter surprised no one with the strength of its delicious Semillons and gorgeous medium-bodied Shiraz styles that spoke clearly of their sense of place.”
He noted that “there was much discussion surrounding the wines at the pointy end of the show and this year’s 2020 Wine of the Year was awarded to the Briar Ridge 2018 Dairy Hill Semillon - a wine of fine precision, detail and clarity and one that highlights all that is great about the Hunter's iconic and world-renowned grape variety. A beautifully composed wine; delicious at this stage of its evolution and one with a promising cellar life in front of it too.”
Last week’s show was perhaps a warm-up for many Hunter Valley hopefuls who eagerly await the judge’s verdict of the Hunter Valley Wine Show, being judged this week in Singleton. This 48th rendition makes the Hunter Valley Wine Show one of the nation’s oldest and certainly one of the most prestigious.
Overcoming all the COVID-19 related challenges veteran judge Iain Riggs steps in as Chair of Judges in place of reigning Chair, Yarra Valley based Sarah Crowe together with a talented team of both local and visiting judges, and will this week assess more than 635 wines at the Singleton Army Base Mess.
We welcome media interviews or filming by appointment tomorrow Wednesday 28 October 2020.
The CCL Label Hunter Valley Wine Show Celebrations Luncheon, typically a grand affair, will be held in a reduced format next Friday 6th November at Ben Ean where the trophy winners will be announced. Wine enthusiasts are invited to join in from afar as we live stream the announcement of the Trophy Winners from the 2020 Hunter Valley Wine Show from 2pm via the Hunter Valley Wine & Tourism Association Facebook Page, Hunter Valley Wine Country.
-ENDS-
Please contact Kylie White at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by phoning (0401) 408 080 should you wish to arrange an interview, images or for further information re either wine show’s results.
*Photo credit Chris Elfes - Elfes Images