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Hunter Valley again takes top prize for NSW’s best wine

2021 ICC Sydney NSW Wine Awards Trophy Winners Announcement

10 December 2021

The 2021 ICC Sydney NSW Wine Awards trophy results were announced on Friday 10 December at the International Convention Centre in Sydney. Of the 21 Trophies presented to recognise NSW’s best wines, 7 came from Hunter Valley Producers, including once again the ultimate Trophy - the ‘NSW Governor’s 2021 Best in Show’ - presented by the Governor of New South Wales, Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC QC.

Silkman Wines were awarded this year’s top prize for their 2014 Reserve Semillon, awarded Best in Show, as well as Best Semillon and Best White in Show. Described by Chair of Judges, Mr Nick Spencer as “nothing short of extraordinary and a true marker of the Hunter region as one of the best in the world”.

The 2021 ICC Sydney NSW Wine Awards trophy winners from Hunter Valley producers:

• Australia Post Trophy for Best Riesling ~ Pepper Tree Wines 2021 Stone Mountain Riesling (Orange)
• NSW DPI Trophy for Best Semillon ~ Silkman Wines 2014 Reserve Semillon (Hunter Valley)
• Finlayson’s Trophy for Best Chardonnay ~ First Creek 2019 Winemakers Reserve Chardonnay (Hunter Valley)
• CCL Trophy for Best White Blend ~ Saddler’s Creek Wines 2021 Winemaker’s Craft Wild White (Hunter/Hilltops)
• Charles Stuart University Trophy for Best Red Blend ~ Margan 2019 White Label Saxonvale Shiraz Mourvèdre (Hunter)
• Orora Trophy for Best Dry White in Show ~ Silkman Wines 2014 Reserve Semillon (Hunter Valley)
• NSW Governor’s Trophy for Best in Show ~ Silkman Wines 2014 Reserve Semillon (Hunter Valley)

Stuart Hordern, President of the Hunter Valley Wine & Tourism Association commented ‘’As a region we were thrilled to have so many of our wines recognised as gold medal winners at this year’s NSW Wine Awards. To go on and win a third of the trophies awarded, all from Hunter Valley producers, is an outstanding result and testament to the depth and quality of our wine producers. Special mention and congratulations to Silkman Wines for winning NSW Wine of The Year’’.

In a first for the NSW Department of Primary Industries Graham Gregory Award, Liz Riley was the first female to be awarded the prestigious award which acknowledges an individual's outstanding contribution to the NSW wine industry.

Commenting on her win, Liz said “I am so honoured to be the first female recipient of the NSW Department of Primary Industries Graham Gregory Award for services to the NSW wine industry. I am privileged to be able to support the industry through my work with Vitibit, my viticulture consultancy, as well as my work with national forums and committees who are committed to ensure the NSW wine industry continues to thrive’’.

President of the NSW Wine Industry Association, Mark Bourne said, “Liz Riley’s significant contribution to the NSW wine industry is without peer. Her advocacy for the NSW wine industry on research, development, extension and precision viticulture has been a major driver in keeping NSW grape growers and winemakers at the forefront of quality and sustainability.”

-ENDS-

Please contact Jennie Curran, Hunter Valley Wine & Tourism Association, to arrange interviews or further information.
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | 0427 195 518.

Full list of 2021 ICC Sydney NSW Wine Trophy Winners:

• Australia Post Trophy for Best Riesling ~ Pepper Tree Wines 2021 Stone Mountain Riesling (Orange)
• NSW DPI Trophy for Best Semillon ~ Silkman Wines 2014 Reserve Semillon (Hunter Valley)
• Nexia Australia Trophy for Best Sauvignon Blanc ~ Kosciuszko Wines 2021 Sauvignon Blanc (Tumbarumba)
• Finlayson’s Trophy for Best Chardonnay ~ First Creek 2019 Winemakers Reserve Chardonnay (Hunter Valley)
• Orora Trophy for Best Other White Variety ~ Trimboli Family Wines 2021 Saverio Fiano (Riverina)
• CCL Trophy for Best White Blend ~ Saddler’s Creek Wines 2021 Winemaker’s Craft Wild White (Hunter/Hilltops)
• MultiColor Trophy for Best Light Red ~ Cassegrain Wines 2021 Seasons Spring Rosé (Hilltops)
• Australia Post Trophy for Best Pinot Noir ~ Heifer Station 2019 Single Vineyard Pinot Noir (Orange)
• Nexia Australia Trophy for Best Shiraz ~ Lerida Estate 2019 Shiraz (Canberra District)
• RIEDEL Trophy for Best Cabernet Sauvignon ~ Shaw Wines 2018 Reserve Merriman Cabernet (Canberra District)
• MultiColor Trophy for Best Other Red Variety ~ McWilliam’s 2021 Alternis Nero D’Avola (Gundagai)
• Charles Stuart University Trophy for Best Red Blend ~ Margan 2019 White Label Saxonvale Shiraz Mourvèdre (Hunter)
• NSW DPI Best Organic Wine Award ~ See Saw 2021 Marge (Orange)
• ICC Sydney 1828 Innovation Award ~ Gilbert 2021 Petillant Naturel Rosé (Mudgee)
• Chair of Judges Trophy for Best Riverina Wine ~ Trimboli Family Wines 2021 Saverio Fiano (Riverina)
• WINEDEPOT Trophy for Best Sparkling Wine ~ Printhie Wines Swift 2013 Vintage (Orange)
• ICC Sydney Trophy for Best Sweet Wine ~ De Bortoli 2019 Noble One Semillon (Riverina)
• ICC Sydney Trophy for Best Fortified ~ De Bortoli NV Show Liqueur Muscat (Riverina)
• Orora Trophy for Best Dry White in Show ~ Silkman Wines 2014 Reserve Semillon (Hunter Valley)
• CCL Trophy for Best Dry Red in Show ~ Lerida Estate 2019 Shiraz (Canberra District)
• NSW Governor’s Trophy for Best in Show ~ Silkman Wines 2014 Reserve Semillon (Hunter Valley)