The 2017 Pier One NSW Wine Awards are officially open for entries.
Now in its 22nd year, the Pier One NSW Wine Awards was created to support all of the 14 wine regions across the State and help promote the very best of local winemakers.
Wineries are encouraged to enter the Awards where wines are judged alongside others of a similar style regardless of the size of the producer, giving everyone an equal shot at winning gold, silver or 21 other trophies and awards on offer.
This year will also mark the fourth year that a regional judging program decides the winners.
President of the NSW Wine Industry Association Tom Ward believes that regional judging diversifies the competition.
“The idea of going to a different wine region to judge each year was successfully trialled in the Riverina in 2014 and since then we have travelled to Orange and then last year to the Hunter Valley.
“I think this is a unique way of judging that not only exposes a wide group of highly regarded Judges to the region but also allows the region to get engaged with the show. In 2017 we are very excited to be visiting the Mudgee wine region and working with them to deliver another great experience”, said Ward.
Last year saw a great number of wines entered, with the Hunter Valley, Orange, Southern Highlands, Central Ranges, Hilltops and Mudgee wine regions all claiming trophies. These awards offered valuable national recognition in the marketplace, making the NSW Wine Awards one of the more successful wine shows at opening the doors to commercial opportunities.
This year’s team of expert judges will be led by new 2017 Chair, David Brookes, a successful wine writer and presenter who regularly writes for publications such as Australian Gourmet Traveller WINE, Halliday Wine Companion and Wine & Spirits, as well as his own popular website.
The entry deadline for the prestigious awards closes on Friday the 11th of August, so don’t miss out!
The judging will take place in the town of Mudgee between September 19-21, 2017. There will then be an awards presentation lunch at Pier One Sydney Harbour on Friday, October 27.
Photo from last year:
“Great turn out of 2016 NSW Wine Awards gold medal winning winemakers at the Government House reception”. Source Instagram @nswwine
