First Creek 2022 Single Vineyard Wills Hill Road Hunter Valley Chardonnay won the NSW Governor’s Trophy for Wine of the Year at the ICC Sydney NSW Wine Awards.
The Governor of NSW Margaret Beazley presented the award to Greg Silkman on behalf of Silkman Wines, which is led by chief winemaker Liz Silkman who claimed the same trophy in 2021 for Silkman 2014 Reserve Semillon.
Chair of judges Nick Spencer described this year’s award-winner as “a wonderful and powerful example of Chardonnay” with great concentration, length and phenolics.
The Graham Gregory Award was presented to Tom Ward of Swinging Bridge Wines in Orange, becoming the youngest person to ever receive it.
“Tom is someone who has consistently played a leadership role in state and regional organisations and who has grown the profile of NSW wines and provided a platform for others to succeed,” NSW Wine president Mark Bourne said.
“Tom is a well-deserved Graham Gregory Award winner.
“His contribution to the NSW wine industry at regional, state and national levels is so impressive and a sign of his commitment to a sustainable future for the first state of wine.
“We thank him for his significant long-lasting legacies to the NSW wine industry.”
Trophies
Blue NRG Trophy for Best White Wine in Show
First Creek 2022 Single Vineyard Wills Hill Road Hunter Valley Chardonnay
Orora Trophy for Best Red Wine in Show
Eden Road 2021 Canberra District Syrah
ICC Sydney Trophy for Best Sparkling Wine
Printhie Wines Swift 2015 Brut Orange
MCC Label Trophy for Best Sweet Wine
Lillypilly 2021 Noble Blend Riverina
ICC Sydney Trophy for Best Fortified
De Bortoli NV Show Liqueur Muscat Riverina
Riedel Trophy for Best Sauvignon Blanc
Logan 2023 Weemala Sauvignon Blanc Orange
Blue NRG Trophy for Best Riesling
Lark Hill 2023 Regional Riesling Canberra District
NSW DPI Trophy for Best Semillon
Brokenwood 2017 ILR Reserve Semillon Hunter Valley
MCC Label Trophy for Best Pinot Grigio/Gris
Angullong 2023 Pinot Grigio Orange
Orora Trophy for Best Chardonnay
First Creek 2022 Single Vineyard Wills Hill Road Hunter Valley Chardonnay
Charles Sturt University Gulbali Institute Trophy for Best Other White Varietal
Bimbadgen 2023 Growers Hunter Valley Vermentino
Nexia Trophy for Best White Wine Blend
Mada Wines 2023 Hilltops Blanc
Riedel Trophy for Best Pinot Noir
See Saw 2022 Balance Organic Pinot Noir Orange
Nexia Trophy for Best Shiraz
Eden Road 2021 Canberra District Syrah
Finlayson’s Trophy for Best Cabernet Sauvignon
Tulloch 2022 Cellar Door Release Cabernet Sauvignon Orange
Finlayson’s Trophy for Best Other Red Wine Varietal
Canobolas Wines 2022 Cabernet Franc Orange
Charles Sturt University Gulbali Institute Trophy for Best Red Wine Blend
Horner Wines 2022 Reserve Shiraz Marsanne Orange
NSW DPI Best Organic Wine Award
Horner Wines 2022 Reserve Shiraz Marsanne Orange
Chair of Judges Trophy for Best Canberra District Wine
Mount Majura Vineyard 2023 Canberra District Riesling
Photo: Greg Silkman with the Governor of NSW, Margaret Beazley.