Hunter Valley Boutique Wine Show Marks 35 Years of Excellence

Chairman of Judges Neil McGuigan presenting Andrew Thomas, from Thomas Wines for the Most successful Boutique Exhibitor | Credit: House of Visuals

The Hunter Valley Boutique Winemaker's Show began in 1989 with just eleven wineries, serving as a competition to evaluate wines made from grapes grown in the Hunter Valley by boutique winemakers and providing an opportunity for small winemakers to showcase their wines to consumers.

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 of grapes. 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 35th annual Hunter Valley Boutique Wine Show has once again demonstrated why the region's boutique producers continue to set benchmarks for quality and innovation. With almost 300 entries judged across more than 50 classes, the 2025 competition awarded a record number of medals, with judges praising the "exceptional diversity of styles and depth of quality."

Two distinguished panels led the judging from 15 to 17 September. Mark Richardson chaired Panel A alongside Jade Hafey, Hugh Spinaze and Valentina Moresco, while Nicole Gow led Panel B with Will Figueira, Brett Woodward and Nicholas Kruger.

The coveted Karl Stockhausen Commemorative Trophy for Best White Wine of the Show was awarded to Colvin Wines for their 2009 De Beyers Vineyard Semillon, marking back-to-back wins for the producer. The 2025 Ray Healey Trophy for Best Red Wine of the Show went to Tintilla Estate Wines for their 2023 Reserve Shiraz, while Thomas Wines claimed the title of Most Successful Boutique Exhibitor. Judges were particularly impressed with several standout classes, noting the "terrific bracket with a mix of bright fresh Shiraz styles with some more traditional styles" in the 2023 Shiraz category, a "fabulous bracket of classic aged Hunter Semillon," and describing the 2024 Chardonnay class as having "great depth" with Gold winners being "great expressions of the Hunter Valley style."

This milestone year also marked an exciting first for the Show, with the Awards and Celebration Lunch opening its doors to the public on Friday, 26 September at Maitland Town Hall. Attendees enjoyed tastings of awarded wines, gourmet fare from Sprout Catering, live entertainment and the announcement of winners in a vibrant celebration of the region's winemaking excellence.

“The Hunter Valley Boutique Winemakers Show is about celebrating the incredible talent and dedication of our boutique winemakers and their teams who work so hard to continually raise the standard of wine produced in this great valley. The 2025 results prove that boutique winemakers continue to punch well above their weight, delivering wines of outstanding quality and individuality,” said Show Chair, Judy Mead.

Visit www.hvboutiquewineshow.com.au/results for the complete list of winners.