NSW Wine MonthCredit: Eight Communications
November will mark the first ever NSW Wine month - marked by the return of Sydney Cellar Door to be held on November 9 and 10.
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Friday November 1 saw the NSW wine industry come together in Sydney to find out who the big winners were and who took away the top trophies from this year’s 2024 ICC Sydney NSW Wine Awards. Hosted in Darling Harbour at ICC Sydney, 20 trophies were handed out including the ‘NSW Governor’s Trophy for the 2024 NSW Wine of the Year’, presented by Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC KC, Governor of NSW.
This year’s top trophy winner breaks an almost decade long winning streak by Hunter Valley wines, with Tamburlaine Organic Wines winning with its 2023 Reserve Orange Syrah. A wine that Chair of Judges Adam Walls described as "A brilliant example of cool climate Shiraz. The judging team not only loved its latent power but also its structure and balance".
With trophies going to winners across seven different wine regions it was a fantastic acknowledgement by this year’s judges of the quality of wines been produced across the state from the Hunter Valley to Mudgee, to Canberra and the Riverina. However, it was a particularly strong showing for the Orange Region in 2024 as its producers walked away with seven trophies in total, including for Best Pinot Gris, Best Pinot Noir, Best Shiraz, Best Cabernet Sauvignon and Best Organic Wine.
The NSW Wine Awards Ceremony is also the time each year to recognise individuals who have made a positive and ongoing contribution to the NSW wine industry with NSW DPIRD presenting the 2023 Graham Gregory Award.
This year’s recipient is someone who has continually given back to the industry through leadership roles across the wine and tourism sectors. The first female President of the Hunter Valley Wine & Tourism Association, Destination Sydney Surround Director, Wine Australia Committee Member and CEO of Tulloch Wines in the Hunter Valley, Christina Tulloch has made an enormously positive contribution to her region and the industry.
The NSW Minister for Agriculture and Regional NSW, the Hon Tara Moriarty MLC said, “I would like to congratulate Christina on receiving the Graham Gregory Award and thank her for her significant contributions to the NSW wine industry.”
“The Graham Gregory Award is the highest honour within the wine industry, recognising those who have made significant contributions to winemaking, education, and market development. Christina’s achievements in these areas truly reflect the values of this award, and we are proud to celebrate her impact on both the local and national stages.”
NSW Wine President Mark Bourne added, “Christina is an incredibly well-deserving recipient of this year's Graham Gregory Award. Recognising far-reaching and ongoing contributions to the wine industry, Christina's leadership in the Hunter Valley and at a state and national level across both wine and tourism has left a positive mark on the NSW wine industry. NSW Wine thanks Christina for her service and her commitment to the industry."
Full results are available online HERE.
The 2024 ICC Sydney NSW Wine Awards trophy winners are:
- NSW Governor’s Trophy for 2024 NSW Wine of the Year
- Tamburlaine Organic Wines 2023 Reserve Orange Syrah
- RIEDEL Trophy for Best Sauvignon Blanc - Hungerford Hill 2024 Sauvignon Blanc
- CSU Agripark Trophy for Best Riesling - Robert Stein 2024 Dry Riesling
- NSW DPI Trophy for Best Semillon - Silkman Wines 2014 Reserve Semillon
- MCC Trophy for Best Pinot Grigio/Gris - Nashdale Lane Wines 2023 Pinot Gris
- Impresstik Trophy for Best Chardonnay - Silkman Wines 2023 Reserve Chardonnay
- Blue NRG Trophy for Best Other White Single Varietal - Yeates 2024 Albarino
- Impresstik Trophy for best Light Red/Rose - Bunnamagoo Mount Lawson 2024 Rose
- ICC Sydney Trophy for Best Pinot Noir - Cooks Lot 2023 Allotment 9 Handpicked Pinot Noir
- Blue NRG Trophy for Best Shiraz - Tamburlaine Organic Wines 2023 Reserve Orange Syrah
- Finlayson’s Trophy for Best Cabernet Sauvignon - Canobolas 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon
- Finlayson’s Trophy for Best Other Red Wine Varietal - Mercer Wines 2023 Malbec
- CSU Agripark Trophy for Best Red Wine Blend - Thomas Wines 2023 Shiraz, Touriga
- NSW DPI Best Organic Wine Award - Tamburlaine Organic Wines 2023 Reserve Orange Syrah
- Chair of Judges Trophy for Best Exhibitor - Silkman Wines
- ICC Sydney Trophy for Best Sparkling Wine - Mount Majura Vineyard 2011 The Silurian Late Disgorged
- MCC Trophy for Best Sweet Wine - Lillypilly 2021 Noble Blend
- ICC Sydney Trophy for Best Fortified - McWilliams Wines NV 20-Year-Old Topaque
- Blue NRG Trophy for Best White Wine - Silkman Wines 2023 Reserve Chardonnay
- RIEDEL Trophy for Best Red Wine - Tamburlaine Organic Wines 2023 Reserve Orange Syrah
NSW Wine Month Credit: Eight Communications
November will mark the first ever NSW Wine month - marked by the return of Sydney Cellar Door to be held on November 9 and 10.
#feelnsw
NSW Wine Month Credit: Eight Communications
November will mark the first ever NSW Wine month - marked by the return of Sydney Cellar Door to be held on November 9 and 10.
More Inspirational Stories
Street Art, NewtownCredit: Destination NSW
Street art on Phillip Street, off Enmore Road, Newtown.
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When the madness of Christmas is behind you and the fireworks of Sydney’s iconic New Years Eve have faded, what better way to take a load off and relax into a Sydney Summer than taking a trip to the Inner West Ale Trail.
As the undisputed craft beer capital of Sydney, the Inner West Ale Trail boasts 18 independent breweries spanning six suburbs within a 5km radius – Marrickville, Newtown, St Peters, Camperdown, Enmore and Rozelle – with many of them just a short stroll in between.
The epicentre of Sydney’s indie beer boom, the Ale Trail bubbled up in the mid-2010s as craft-loving pilgrims followed paper maps and paths to new breweries in search of good times and great beer.
But it is more than just the amazing beer... The Trail also offers up some of Sydney’s best eats – from juicy burgers to fresh oysters, tasty vegan dishes to deep-fried Viennetta – along with non-beer options including cocktails, wine, ciders, seltzers and more.
Plus, there’s always something on with an exciting array of free events and deals happening across the Trail.
The Bob Hawke Beer & Leisure Centre, Marrickville Credit: The Bob Hawke Beer & Leisure Centre
Ansett Bar, The Bob Hawke Beer & Leisure Centre in Marrickville
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The Bob Hawke Beer & Leisure Centre, Marrickville Credit: The Bob Hawke Beer & Leisure Centre
Ansett Bar, The Bob Hawke Beer & Leisure Centre in Marrickville
Marrickville is home to 50 per cent of the breweries on the trail from the well-known The Grifter Brewing Co known for its retro aesthetic and fruity beers like the Serpent’s Kiss watermelon pilsner and Philter Brewing which resides in a converted abandoned yoghurt factory. There is also the award-winning Bob Hawke Beer and Leisure Centre which takes punters a step back into the 1980s, just with better beer thanks to Hawke’s Brewing. The throwback venue is complete with retro RSL carpet, cricket commentary in the bathrooms and the Lucky Prawn Restaurant which specialises in 80s Aussie-Chinese.
One of the Trail’s biggest breweries is hiding down a tiny lane with a not so tiny beer garden, Sauce Brewing Co. is perfect for families and dogs. Meanwhile, Batch Brewing Co does it for the locals by slinging iconic beers such as Marrickville Pale Ale and is often used as the first stop for Trailers!
Forget modern beer trends and fads Wildflower Brewing & Blending brews barrel-aged Old-World styles with wild yeasts collected from native flowers. While Mixtape Brewing & Bar which has something for everyone and is part brewhouse, part community club house fixed with retro game machines and then there’s Pickled Monkey Brewing Co. which boasts 24 taps in its Groundfloor brewpub. To round out the Marrickville leg there is Kicks Brewing with its friendly neighbourhood taproom bar, full of good vibes and stylish touches.
Just up the road in St Peters is Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s favourite watering hole, Willie the Boatman brewery. Albo is such a super fan, that he even lends his face to their famous Albo pale ale.
Brickworks Brewing is right by St Peters station which serves up 12 beers in a myriad of styles and just up the road are the two new kids on the block Future Brewing which opened in 2023 and Chuck & Son’s Brewing Co which has been opened by none other than Chuck Hahn (‘the godfather of Aussie craft beer’) and the brewer behind James Squire, Malt Shovel and Hahn Brewery.
In Newtown lives an Inner West institution Young Henrys. A rock ‘n’ roll den and local clubhouse famous for their flagship Newtowner Pale Ale – not only an Inner West favourite, but a favourite all around Sydney.
Around the corner in Rozelle in the heart of the Balmain peninsula is White Bay Brewery, located in a rustic 150-year-old steel mill fitted with an industrial beet hall, perfect for a summer afternoon with friends.
Wayward Brewing Co. is Camperdown’s craft brewery which includes 24 taps of award-winning brews, limited editions and their own W Seltzer range. And finally in Enmore lives Australia’s first brewing co-op – Hopsters Co-operative Brewery. Democratically funded and run by its members but open to everyone, this relaxed beer bar haven serves Hopsters’ own brews alongside an ever-changing array of guest taps.
Bracket Brewing is the Trail’s 18th brewery – which will open later this year.
Young Henrys, Newtown Credit: Destination NSW
Patrons enjoying the beer at Young Henrys bar and brewery in Newtown.
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Young Henrys, Newtown Credit: Destination NSW
Patrons enjoying the beer at Young Henrys bar and brewery in Newtown.