Silkman Wines 2014 Reserve Semillon from the Hunter Valley was awarded the Best In Show trophy at the 2021 ICC Sydney NSW Wine Awards on Friday. The presentation was attended by the wine industry and the Governor of New South Wales, Mrs Margaret Beazley who presented the winning trophy to the Silkman Wines’ team. (Pictured above from left Nathan Rees, Jenny Silkman, Greg Silkman and Annabel Holland.)

Chair of Judges, Mr Nick Spencer said, “This wine is nothing short of extraordinary, and a true marker of the Hunter wine region as one of the best in the world. Skilled wine maker Liz Silkman has produced a wine that is remarkably fresh for a seven year old wine, while still offering an incredibly complexity.  When I consider what makes a wine exceptional – it’s structure, balance, length, freshness, complexity, concentration and an ability to mature gracefully, this wine ticks all of those boxes.”

In addition to a female winemaker winning the Best In Show trophy, Liz Riley is the first female to be awarded the 2020 Graham Gregory Award for services to the NSW wine industry. Six women sat on the judging panel.

Ms Riley runs a viticulture consultancy, specialising in the fields of research and development, vineyard sustainability, climate change adaption and fruit quality for growers, and providing expert technical and practical advice to vineyard owners throughout NSW, nationally and internationally.

President of the NSW Wine Industry Association, Mark Bourne said, “Liz Riley’s significant contribution to the New South Wales wine industry is without peer. Her advocacy for the NSW wine industry on research, development, extension and precision viticulture has been a major driver in keeping NSW grape growers and winemakers at the forefront of quality and sustainability.”

Winemakers and grape growers from Canberra District, Orange, Tumbarumba, Hilltops, Gundagai, Mudgee and the Riverina all received trophies – testimony to the increasing diversity of wines emerging from New South Wales.

Full list of NSW trophy winners:

  • Best in Show - Silkman Wines 2014 Reserve Semillon (Hunter Valley)
  • Chair of Judges Trophy for Best Riverina Wine - Trimboli Family Wines 2021 Saverio Fiano (Riverina)
  • 2020 Graham Gregory Award - Liz Riley
  • ICC Sydney 1828 Innovation Award - Gilbert 2021 Petillant Naturel Rosé (Mudgee)
  • Best Sparkling Wine - Printhie Wines Swift 2013 Vintage (Orange) 
  • Best Dry White in Show - Silkman Wines 2014 Reserve Semillon (Hunter Valley)
  • Best Dry Red in Show - Lerida Estate 2019 Shiraz (Canberra District)
  • Best Sweet Wine - De Bortoli 2019 Noble One Semillon (Riverina)
  • Best Fortified - De Bortoli NV Show Liqueur Muscat (Riverina)
  • Best Riesling - Pepper Tree Wines 2021 Stone Mountain Riesling (Orange) 
  • Best Semillon - Silkman Wines 2014 Reserve Semillon (Hunter Valley)
  • Best Sauvignon Blanc - Kosciuszko Wines 2021 Sauvignon Blanc (Tumbarumba)
  • Best Chardonnay - First Creek 2019 Winemakers Reserve Chardonnay (Hunter Valley) 
  • Best Other White Variety - Trimboli Family Wines 2021 Saverio Fiano (Riverina)
  • Best White Blend - Saddler’s Creek Wines 2021 Winemaker’s Craft Wild White (Hunter/Hilltops)
  • Best Light Red - Cassegrain Wines 2021 Seasons Spring Rosé (Hilltops)
  • Best Pinot Noir - Heifer Station 2019 Single Vineyard Pinot Noir (Orange)
  • Best Shiraz - Lerida Estate 2019 Shiraz (Canberra District)
  • Best Cabernet Sauvignon - Shaw Wines 2018 Reserve Merriman Cabernet (Canberra District)
  • Best Other Red Variety - McWilliam’s 2021 Alternis Nero D’Avola (Gundagai) 
  • Best Red Blend - Margan 2019 White Label Saxonvale Shiraz Mourvèdre (Hunter)
  • Best Organic Wine Award - See Saw 2021 Marge (Orange)

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