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Mount Pleasant Shiraz Wins Grand Old Silverware in New South Wales

By Saturday 20 October 2018April 5th, 2020No Comments

Mount Pleasant 2017 Old Paddock & Old Hill Shiraz won the NSW Governor’s Trophy for best in show at the NSW Wine of the Year awards.

Chair of judges Dave Brookes said, “This is a wine of impeccable pedigree, purity and balance and one that highlights what the Hunter Valley does best – medium bodied, savoury red wines that are approachable and delicious in their youth yet have everything that is needed for a noble life in the cellar with spectacular results.”

NSW Governor David Hurley with Mount Pleasant winemaker Adrian Sparks.

The awards ceremony was held at Government House Sydney for the first time ever. It is the 190th anniversary of commercial wine production in NSW.

The Governor of NSW, David Hurley, emphasised how important it was to support the local wine industry.

“At this event, everything you eat and drink is from NSW,” he said.

The Governor introduced the new NSW Governor’s Trophy for Best in Show, which he donated to the awards last year and will be given to the NSW Wine of the Year each year.

The stunning silver platter, beautifully engraved with grape vines, had been used to serve drinks in residence for more than a century and reflects the great history of wine in NSW.

He said, “There is enough space for 96 names on the trophy so do please keep competing.”

The trophies were presented by the Governor and NSW Wine Industry Association president Tom Ward.

Wine made from fruit grown in Orange, Hilltops, Riverina, Canberra District, Murray Darling and the Hunter Valley all claimed top awards.

Stuart McGrath-Kerr with Austin Evans MP. Photos courtesy Fiora Sacco.

Stuart McGrath-Kerr was presented with the Graham Gregory Award for services to the NSW wine industry.

He has worked in the wine industry since 1987 and started working with the NSW Wine Industry Association in 1997, being pivotal in making the association what it is today, before retiring in 2017.

Stuart said, “The Association has been going for 23 years now and I am very proud to have been involved in 20 of those years.”

2018 NSW Wine Awards Trophies

Australia Post Trophy for Best Riesling
Nick O’Leary 2018 White Rocks Riesling (Canberra)

Charles Sturt University Trophy for Best Sauvignon Blanc
Trentham Estate 2018 Sauvignon Blanc (Murray Darling)

NSW DPI Trophy for Best Semillon
McGuigan 2013 Bin 9000 Semillon (Hunter Valley)

Ultra Labels Trophy for Best Chardonnay
Two Rivers Wines 2017 Yarrawa Road Chardonnay (Hunter Valley)

Australia Post Trophy for Best Light Red
De Iuliis Wines 2018 Sangiovese Merlot (Hunter Valley)

Finlaysons Trophy for Best Shiraz
Mount Pleasant Wines 2017 Old Paddock & Old Hill Shiraz (Hunter Valley)

Riedel Trophy for Best Cabernet Sauvignon
Moppity Vineyards 2016 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon (Hilltops)

MultiColor Trophy for Best Other Red Varieties
Tamburlaine Wines 2017 Orange Reserve Malbec (Orange)

Nexia Australia Trophy for Best Red Blend
Sweetwater Estate 2017 Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon (Hunter Valley)

NSW DPI Award for Best Organic Wine
Tamburlaine Wines 2017 Orange Reserve Malbec (Orange)

Chair of Judges Award for Best Southern Highlands Wine
Tertini 2018 Pinot Gris (Southern Highlands)

CiSRA Trophy for Best Sparkling Wine
Printhie Wines NV Swift Cuvee Chardonnay Pinot Noir (Orange)

NSWWIA Trophy for Best Sweet Wine
De Bortoli Wines Noble One 2016 Semillon (Riverina)

Orora Trophy for Best Dry White
Nick O’Leary 2018 White Rocks Riesling (Canberra)

CCL Trophy for Best Dry Red
Mount Pleasant Wines 2017 Old Paddock & Old Hill Shiraz (Hunter Valley)

NSW Governor’s Trophy for Best in Show
Mount Pleasant Wines 2017 Old Paddock & Old Hill Shiraz (Hunter Valley)

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