By Di Sneddon
It was all about Semillon at the Hunter Valley Wine Show.
Not only was the wine style applauded by judges but it was a wine making style that attracted them to the show in the first place to experience the taste, smell, quality and result of a wine not produced anywhere else in the world.
Yes, there were the world renowned chardonnay, the shiraz and so many other varieties but it was the Semillon that is the point of difference at our own wine show.
Chair of the judging panel, Toni Patterson, told The Hunter River Times the Semillon produced in the Hunter Valley was unique.
“Other regions make blends or use grapes from other regions but this is the only place in the world that makes Semillon from its own fruit from its own region,” Toni said.
The Petrie-Drinan Trophy for Best White Wine of Show was awarded to Tinklers Wines for their 2017 Reserve Semillon, which also won the Drayton Family Trophy for Best Semillon of Show as well as the Kaloudah Trophy for Best Table Wine from a Small Producer.
The Best Current Semillon was awarded to Brokenwood for their 2025 Oakey Creek Vineyard #2 Semillon and Best One-Year-Old Semillon to Bimbadgen for its 2024 Palmers Lane Single Vineyard Semillon.
Commenting on the 2024 and 2025 Semillon classes, Toni said the 2025 Semillon Class was incredibly strong, and the strength of the vintage was on display.
“The Hunter Valley produces a range of relevant and contrasting styles of Semillon which show how the region has matured and that winemakers are very comfortable working with the style their vineyard produces naturally,” she said.
Another point of difference, according to Toni, is the unity shared by the wine makers.
“There is a lack of ego in the Hunter, what I like here is the people in the Valley get together, everyone recognises that success is shared, the achievements are for the good of the Valley and this is what sets this wine show apart,” Toni said.
The 53rd Hunter Valley Wine Show attracted 68 exhibitors, with 679 entries, a strong number of entries reflecting the depth of the current and aged wine in the Hunter Valley. Close to 4000 bottles of Hunter Valley wine judged resulted in 80 Gold medals.
Among the judges was internation judge Dr Edward Ragg (Master of Wines) who is based in Beijing, and he could not compliment the event enough.
Edward’s wife was a judge at the show back in 2014 and after judging in Western Australia he was told the Hunter Valley Wine Show was a joy to judge and he was not disappointed.
“This show is seamlessly well supported, there is a thorough process and the quality of judging is worldclass,” he said.
The venue, the volunteers and the support of the infantry providing the venue and washing thousands of wine glasses over the three days of judging was appreciated by all involved.
