Hilltops Wines Shine At 2024 Canberra And Region Wine Show

Hilltops winemakers have been smiling ever since this year’s Canberra and Region Wine Show a week ago.

Shiny trophies were the order of the day, and Hilltops winemakers and vignerons were clear winners, with an impressive strike rate of 60 percent of the almost 100 Hilltops GI wines entered in the show.

The judges awarded four trophies to Hilltops GI wines, six top gold medals, six gold medals and 17 silver medals. This year’s Canberra Show results continue to highlight the region’s impressive viticultural reputation according to Hilltops Wine President James Bowman, proprietor of Barwang Wines.

“These accolades validate the commitment, skill, passion and innovative approach of Hilltops vignerons and other region’s winemakers, who increasingly seek out top quality grapes from our cool vineyards,” Mr Bowman said.

“For such a small region to score six top gold awards ranging from aromatic white varieties and a mature sweet wine to the classic reds, notably cabernet sauvignon and shiraz, is a serious endorsement of our region’s strength and diversity and posts notice that the NSW Hilltops is one of Australia’s most exciting and versatile wine regions.”

“It really stood out that we’re very much a region that is producing good quality wines.

It was really good to see the presence of the Hilltops wines at the wine show.” Mr Bowman said the Hilltops weather was great for growing grapes.

**The Hilltops GI trophy winners include: **

• Corang Estate II Russo 2023 - Best Sangiovese;
• Freeman Dolcino 2013 - Best Sweet Wine;
• Hungerford Hill Fishcage Cabernet Sauvignon 2023 - Best Cabernet Sauvignon and
• Peter Robertson Trophy - Hilltops Wine of the Year, 2024.

Winemaker at Hungerford Hill Bryan Currie, who also won Wine of the Year in 2022, is a strong advocate for the HIlltops wine region, both for its traditional red grapes - cabernet sauvignon and shiraz - and the emerging varieties like fiano, graciano and tempranillo.

“There is a pristine flavour intensity and balance in these grapes that need little winemaking intervention to show their delicious true character,” Mr Currie said.

“It’s such an inspiring region. This is the second time I’ve won it. Coming from our peers makes it even more satisfying. It’s great to get positive recognition for the quality wines we make.”

Aside from the trophy-winners, top gold medals were awarded to three Hilltops GI wines:

• Centennial Vineyards 2022 Limited Release Hilltops Shiraz 2022;
• Mada Pinot Gris, Gewurztraminer Riesling 2023 (blend); and
• Moppity Lock and Key Cabernet Sauvignon 2022.

Gold medal wines included Ballinaclash Fiano 2024, Coppabella Procella Shiraz 2022, Hungerford Hill Sangiovese 2023 and Malbec 2023, Moppity Vineyards Block 4 Shiraz 2022 and Moppity Reserve Shiraz 2022.

• Topics:

• Awards
• Wine
• Agriculture