Judge Selection Criteria

The Hunter Valley Wine Show uses the following procedure to select judges:

Chairman of Judges:

  • Appointed by HVWS Committee
  • Must reside in the Hunter Valley
  • The appointment is reviewed by the HVWS committee annually

Panel Chairs:

  • Recommended by Chairman of Judges & approved by HVWS Committee
  • Must reside in Australia
  • Selected from the three (3) most experienced judges available

Visiting Senior Judges:

  • Recommended by Chairman of Judges – approved by HVWS Committee
  • Must not reside in the Hunter Valley
  • HVWS Committee to receive C.V. with recommendations including connection with wine industry, judging experience, expectations regarding payments for judging services

Hunter Senior Judges

  • Recommended by Chairman of Judges – approved by HVWS Committee
  • Must reside in the Hunter Valley
  • HVWS Committee to receive C.V. with recommendations including connection with wine industry, judging experience, expectations regarding payments for judging services

International Judges

  • Recommended by Chairman of Judges – approved by HVWS Committee
  • Must not reside in Australia
  • HVWS Committee to receive C.V. with recommendations including connection with wine industry, judging experience, expectations regarding payments for judging services

Associate Judges

  • Triennial invitation to HVWS Exhibitors database calling for applications from personnel within the industry i.e. winemakers, technical staff, cellar door staff, sales staff etc.
  • Nominees to provide C.V. including connection with wine industry, judging experience, two (2) referees
  • Selection from nominees by Chairman of Judges and HVWS committee representatives
  • Recommendations to be approved by HVWS Committee
  • Maximum of three (3) Non-Hunter Valley residents in any one year
  • Appointed for a maximum of three (3) consecutive years.

Trainee Associate Judges:

  • Biennial invitation to HVWS Exhibitors database calling for applications from personnel within the industry i.e. winemakers, technical staff, cellar door staff, sales staff etc.
  • Nominees to provide C.V. including connection with wine industry, judging experience, two (2) referees
  • Selection from nominees by Chairman of Judges and HVWS Committee representatives
  • Recommendations to be approved by HVWS Committee
  • Must reside in the Hunter Valley
  • Appointed for a maximum of two (2) consecutive years
  • Willing to act as Stewards if not selected as Trainee.