HISTORY

The Hunter Valley was the cradle of the Australian Wine Industry. In 1847, the ‘first-formed vineyard association in the colony’, the Hunter River Vineyard Association, was established to foster a healthy spirit of openness, collaborative self-education, disciplined experimentation and industry organisation. It set a precedent for subsequent Australian wine associations, which have continued to influence the production and commerce of Australian wine.*

The Hunter River Vineyard Association held their first wine show judging in 1847 as part of the Hunter River Agricultural Society in Maitland. It was the first Regional wine show to be held in Australia & continued intermittently until 1963.**

The show in it’s current form, as a sustainable regional wine competition started on 15 April 1973 at Singleton’s Northern Agricultural Association Showground.

Since 1980 the show has been held at the Singleton Lone Pine Barracks marking the start of a long and mutually beneficial community partnership with the Australian Army. 

* August 1988 Journal of Wine Research A HISTORY OF THE AUSTRALIAN WINE SHOW SYSTEM by R. Dunphy & Larry Lockshin, University of South Australia

**The History of the Hunter Valley Wine Show has been documented in the 2018 book “From Tendrils to Trophies – The Origin of the Hunter Valley Wine Show” by John Flannery.

1979 C.Barnes, G.Kaye, G.Wilmore, R.Drinan

1979 C.Barnes, G.Kaye, G.Wilmore, R.Drinan

Len Evans Dinner 2006 Show

Len Evans Dinner 2006 Show

1983 Lowe & Lake

1983 Lowe & Lake

1983 Karl Stockhausen

1983 Karl Stockhausen

Executive Committee

Whilst we have winemakers & wine industry participants represented, the majority of the Hunter Valley Wine Show Committee are members of the local community who come from diverse professional backgrounds. Our longest serving member has been involved for 18 years. The Committee members volunteer their time to ensure the show runs seamlessly and successfully each and every year.

  • Craig Saywell: President

    Cathy Gadd: Vice President

    Niamh Marzol : Treasurer

    Robert Seath: Chief Steward

    Micah Jenkins: Committee

    Andrew Spinaze: Committee

    Al Lynch: Committee

    David Flynn: Committee

    Stephen Flannery: Committee

    Andrew Thomas: HVWTA Representative

    LT COL Jarrod Brook: Commanding Officer School of Infantry

    Abby Burden: Show Secretary

 

TROPHIES

Hunter Valley Wine Show trophies are particularly prestigious and are awarded to the best-in-class wines decided by the judging panel. In the first decade of the show there were 3 perpetual trophies awarded which has significantly expanded over to time in response to trends in the wine industry.

  • Marshall-Flannery Trophy – Best Current Semillon. Sponsored by Winequip

    George Wyndham Memorial Trophy – Best Current and One-Year-Old Chardonnay. Sponsored by Laffort

    J.Y. (Jay) Tulloch Trophy – Best Verdelho

    Graham Gregory Memorial Trophy-Best “Other White Varietals and White Blends” Trophy

    Best Rosé Trophy. Sponsored by Singleton Diggers

    Alexander Munro Memorial Trophy – Best Current Vintage and One-Year-Old Shiraz. Sponsored by Mercurey Australia

    Ed Jouault Memorial Trophy – Best One-Year-Old Semillon

    Henry John Lindeman Memorial Trophy – Best Two-Year-Old and Older Chardonnay. Sponsored by Jurds

    Elliott Family Trophy – Best Two-Year-Old Shiraz. Sponsored by Hahn Corporation

    James Busby Memorial Trophy – Best Three-Year-Old and Older Shiraz. Sponsored by Jenkins Legal Services

    Maurice O’Shea Memorial Trophy-Best “Other Red Varietals and Red Blends. Trophy. Sponsored by Margan Family Wines

    McGuigan Family Trophy – Best Two-Year-Old and Older Semillon

    Doug Galbraith Memorial Trophy – Best Off-Dry or Sweet White Wine

    Best Sparkling Wine Trophy

    Trevor Drayton Memorial Trophy – Best Fortified Wine or Vermouth

    Tyrrell Family Trophy – Best Museum White Wine

    John Lewis Newcastle Herald Trophy – Best Museum Red Wine

    Hector Tulloch Memorial Trophy – Best Shiraz. Sponsored by Seguin Moreau

    Drayton Family Trophy – Best Semillon

    Murray Tyrrell Chardonnay Trophy – Best Chardonnay. Sponsored by MCC- Premium Label Solutions

    Kaloudah – Best Small Producer. Sponsored by Thomas Wines

    Len Evans Trophies – Sponsored by Insight Wealth Planning

    Best Single Vineyard White Wine and

    Best Single Vineyard Red

    Iain Riggs Wine of Provenance Sponsored by CCL

    Petrie-Drinan Trophy – Best White Wine of the Show. Sponsored by PKF

    Doug Seabrook Memorial Trophy – Best Red Wine of the Show. Sponsored by PKF