Briar Ridge's 2018 Dairy Hill Single Vineyard Semillon was awarded the top award, the NSW Governor’s Trophy for Best in Show, at the 2020 ICC Sydney NSW Wine Awards last Friday, 23 October.

The Governor of New South Wales, Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC QC, presented the award to Briar Ridge's team from the Hunter Valley, including winemaker Alex Beckett (pictured).

Chair of Judges at the NSW Wine Awards, Dave Brookes, said: “There was much discussion surrounding the wines at the pointy end of the show and this year’s 2020 Wine of the Year was awarded to the Briar Ridge 2018 Dairy Hill Semillon - a wine of fine precision, detail and clarity and one that highlights all that is great about the Hunter's iconic and world-renowned grape variety. A beautifully composed wine; delicious at this stage of its evolution and one with a promising cellar life in front of it too.”

The 2020 ICC Sydney NSW Wine Awards trophy results were announced at the awards presentation hosted at ICC Sydney. Eighteen trophies were to the state’s best wines:

  • NSW Governor’s Trophy for Best in Show - Briar Ridge 2018 Dairy Hill Single Vineyard Semillon (Hunter)
  • Canon Trophy for Best Sparkling Wine - Printhie Wines NV Swift Rose (Orange) 
  • ICC Sydney Trophy for Best Sweet Wine - Lillypilly 2017 Noble Blend (Riverina)
  • ICC Sydney Trophy for Best Fortified - Mount Pleasant NV Tawny Port Syrah (Hunter Valley)
  • Orora Trophy for Best Dry White in Show - Briar Ridge 2018 Dairy Hill Single Vineyard Semillon (Hunter)
  • CCL Trophy for Best Dry Red in Show - Lerida Estate 2019 Shiraz (Canberra District)
  • Australia Post Trophy for Best Riesling - Gilbert 2019 RS11 Riesling (Orange) 
  • NSW DPI Trophy for Best Semillon - Briar Ridge 2018 Dairy Hill Single Vineyard Semillon (Hunter Valley)
  • Charles Sturt University Trophy for Best Sauvignon - See Saw 2020 Organic Sauvignon Blanc (Orange)
  • Nexia Australia Trophy for Best Chardonnay - Nick O’Leary 2019 Chardonnay (Tumbarumba) 
  • ICC Sydney Trophy for Best Other White Variety - Trimboli Family Wines 2020 Salvatore Trebbiano (Riverina)
  • Australia Post Trophy for Best Pinot Noir - Philip Shaw Wines 2019 No.08 Pinot Noir (Orange)
  • Finlaysons Trophy for Best Shiraz - Lerida Estate 2019 Shiraz (Canberra District)
  • Riedel Trophy for Best Cabernet Sauvignon - Ballinaclash 2019 Tom Cabernet Sauvignon (Hilltops)
  • MultiColor Trophy for Best Other Red Variety - Margan 2019 Saxonvale Mourvedre (Hunter Valley) 
  • Nexia Australia Trophy for Best Red Blend - De Iuliis Wines 2018 LDR Vineyard Shiraz, Touriga Nacional (Hunter)
  • NSW DPI Trophy for Best Organic Wine - See Saw 2020 Organic Sauvignon Blanc (Orange)
  • Chair of Judges Trophy for Best Tumbarumba Wine - Nick O’Leary 2019 Chardonnay (Tumbarumba)

Minister Michael Johnsen, Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture and Member for Upper Hunter, was also in attendance presented the Graham Gregory Award for Services to the NSW Wine Industry to Justin Jarrett from See Saw Wines, an organic winery in the Orange wine region.

Of the stellar wines emerging from New South Wales, Mr Brookes said: “Orange again impressed with the precision of its sparkling wines. It is worth noting that this is the 3rd year in a row that Printhie Wines has taken home the Trophy for Best Sparkling. Orange also offered up flavoursome Sauvignon Blancs and Rieslings and beautifully composed Pinot Noirs.

"The Hunter surprised no one with the strength of its delicious Semillons and gorgeous medium-bodied Shiraz styles that spoke clearly of their sense of place.

Cabernets from Hilltops impressed the judges, as did the focussed cool-climate Shiraz from Canberra and we were all blown away by the quality of the Chardonnay from Tumbarumba."

It is Dave Brookes' fourth year as Chair of Judges at the NSW Wine Awards. Next year he will be replaced by Nick Spencer.

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