Hunter Valley Boutique Wine Show Celebrates 34 Years of Excellence

The Hunter Valley Boutique Winemaker’s Show started in 1989 with just eleven wineries as a competition to evaluate wine made from grapes grown in the Hunter Valley by boutique winemakers and provide an opportunity for small winemakers to show the consumer just how great their wines are.

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Presented by the Hunter River Agricultural and Horticultural Association, the annual show celebrates the highest quality wines produced from grapes grown in the Hunter Valley.

In those early days, the only participants were those vineyards that grew and crushed 100 tonnes. Today, those entering must not produce more than 350 tonnes a year, and the wine must be fermented in a winery whose total crush does not exceed 350 tonnes.

The highly anticipated 34th annual Hunter Valley Boutique Wine Show has once again highlighted the exceptional talents of the region’s boutique winemakers. This year’s event brought together the best wines in the valley, judged by a prestigious panel led by Neil McGuigan. After rigorous judging of over 350 wines from 56 exhibitors, the show announced the major winners for 2024 at a luncheon late last month.

• The Karl Stockhausen Commemorative Trophy for Best White Wine of the Show was awarded to Colvin Wines for their exceptional 2009 De Beyers Vineyard Semillon. This wine stood out for its elegance and precise expression of the Hunter Valley’s renowned Semillon varietal.

• The Ray Healey Trophy for Best Red Wine of the Show went to Thomas Wines for their 2018 Kiss Shiraz, which impressed with its depth, complexity, and bold character, a true representation of the region’s premium Shiraz offerings.

• The Most Successful Boutique Exhibitor was also awarded to Thomas Wines, recognising the producer's consistent excellence across various categories in this year's competition.

With 23 Top Gold Trophy wines awarded to wineries such as Savannah Estate for their Savannah Estate 2023 Viognier, Gartelmann Wines for both their 2024 Benjamin Semillon and 2024 Jessica Verdelho and Ernest Hill for their 2023 Chicken Shed Chardonnay, the Hunter Valley Boutique Wine Show not only highlights the excellence of regional winemaking but also celebrates the significant economic and tourism value of the industry, which attracts Australian and international visitors keen to explore the valley’s unique wine culture and exceptional tasting experiences.

For more information and a complete list of winners, visit www.hvboutiquewineshow.com.au.