It was a project launched 30 years ago by Hunter River Agricultural and Horticultural Association members Tom Morgan and Lyndon McLeod and one that has become a most respected event.
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The Hunter Valley Boutique Winemakers Show started with 11 wineries and today showcases the products of 48 wineries and 295 exhibits.
In those early days the only participants were those vineyards who grew and crushed 100 tonnes.
Today those entering must not produce more than 350 tonnes and has been fermented in a winery whose total crush does not exceed 350 tonnes.
Judges, led by chairman Keith Tulloch, have taste tested wines over a two day period this week and the results will be announced on Thursday during a presentation dinner at the Crowne Plaza, Pokolbin.
“This year there was a very exciting range of wines dominated by the beautiful vintages of 2016 and 2017,” Mr Tulloch said. “The wines showed beautiful balance with great potential right across the board.”
Other judges at the event were Peter Hall, Phil Ryan, Mark Richardson, Nick Patterson, Bryan Currie, Adam Walls and associate judges Eden Walpole and Brendan Kaczorowski.
Two independently judged trophies will also be awarded – the Karl Stockhausen Trophy for Classic Hunter White and the Ray Healey Trophy for Classic Hunter Red.
The aim of the show is to provide a level playing field for the smaller producers, improve the standard of winemaking in the Hunter, Provide a marketing tool and platform for smaller winemakers and train judges of the future.
This year’s competition has 43 classes with both open and current vintage sections.
The show is organised by the HRA and HA wine show committee consisting of Judy Mead, Julie Robinson, Brooke Omotosho, Eddie Hunt, Claire Johnson, Jennifer Bishop and Anthony Sarroff.
RidgeView and Thomas Wines were the big winners last year with RidgeView picking up a major double, with best white wine for their 2009 semillon, and the Karl Stockhausen Trophy for their 2014 chardonnay. Thomas Wines had the best red wine for their 2016 TW2 shiraz.
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