Volume 70 | May 28th 2021
The New South Wales Wine Industry Association represents the interests of all NSW wine producers and grape growers. Our aim is for the NSW Wine Industry Association to advocate for the NSW Wine Industry and provide information and a sense of belonging to our members.
BIG WEEK FOR NSW WINE!
This week was a very busy week for the NSW Wine Industry Association. As well as the NSW Sommeliers Wine List Awards (more on that below) we also co-hosted two other major events at ICC Sydney (who are our major partners).

On Tuesday 25th May, nearly 100 people arrived at ICC Sydney for the Sydney hub of the National Wine Sector Bushfire Conference.
There was also hubs in South Australia, Victoria and Western Australia. There were great presentations from across the country, including a key note address from Shane Fitzsimmons, Commissioner of Resilience NSW. NSW Wine Executive Officer, Angus Barnes was MC for the day.

On Wednesday 26th May, we were back at the ICC Sydney for the Shades of Shiraz Symposium. This event, led by NSW DPI as part of the Skills Development Program, had an in depth look at Shiraz and included a number of great presentations and tastings.

Two great days for the NSW Wine Industry!
WINE LIST AWARDS TOP WINNERS
On Monday 24th May, the top winners in the 2021 NSW Sommelier’s Wine List Awards were announced at Government House Sydney at a ceremony hosted by the Governor of New South Wales Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC QC.
A fantastic range of wine lists were entered this year by sommeliers/bar managers from across the state. After much diligent evaluation by the judges, 38 finalists were crowned 2021 NSW Wine Stars and then this week, these were whittled down to the top 6 lists. 
And the winners are …
2021 Best NSW Wine List in a Regional NSW venue – small = David Lowe, The Zin House, Mudgee
This was a very strong category, with finalists from the Hunter, Orange, Mudgee, Shoalhaven and Southern Highlands - highlighting the quality of food and wine experiences out there in our wine regions. The winner receives a $1000 prize package from DK Digital Systems.
2021 Best NSW Wine List in a Regional NSW venue – large = Pete Cutcliffe, Bill’s Fishhouse, Port Macquarie
The largest category of finalists, again highlighting the quality in regional NSW, and giving the judge a tough job. In the end, Bill’s Fishhouse became our first back-to-back winner, collecting this award for the second time. They will receive a $2000 premium glass fit out from RIEDEL.
2021 Best NSW Wine List in a Regional NSW accommodation venue = Matt Underwood, The Newcastle Club, Newcastle
A new category to the Awards, created to showcase and reward those that work so hard in accommodation venues to provide a great service and also support local producers. Matt’s list was described by the judge as “a very well-constructed list with strong depth in almost all areas”. He receives an indulgent, immersion trip around the wine region of Orange and a great prize package from the Restaurant & Catering Association including free membership, a special report on the on-premise trade in Australia and 2 Free Tickets to the next NSW Awards For Excellence.
2021 Best NSW Wine List in a Sydney venue = Louella Mathews, bibo wine bar, Double Bay
Words judges used for this list were “superlative” and “a wonderful list, well thought out and structured”! Louella wins $1000 worth of Australia's best wine logistics and technology solutions from WINEDEPOT.
2021 Best NSW Wine List in a Sydney accommodation venue = Matthew Brooke, TWR, Crown Sydney
The other new category to our Awards, highlighting the sommeliers and accommodation venues in Sydney that showcase our state’s wines to a wide audience. Again there were some very strong finalists in this category but one stood out with nearly 100% of its wines by-the-glass coming from NSW, and these were backed up by a bottle list that the judges described as “bold and impressive”! Matthew wins a food and wine trip around the Canberra wine district region.
2021 NSW Wine President’s Award for Outstanding Support of the NSW Wine Industry = David Collins from Charred Kitchen & Bar, Orange
This is a special award presented at the discretion of the President of the NSW Wine Industry Association, Mark Bourne, and given to someone that has shown outstanding commitment to showcasing NSW wines. Mark commented, “David’s list hosts 244 wines from all over NSW (840 wines in total), making it arguably the biggest list of NSW wines in the country”! David wins a trip around the Hunter Valley and automatic and free entry into the 2021 Australia’s Wine List of the Year Awards.
2021 NSW Sommelier’s Wine List of the Year = Matthew Brooke from TWR, Crown Sydney
Our overall winner not only claims the ultimate title of ‘NSW Sommelier’s Wine List of the Year’ but is also on his way to Mudgee. his winner will also receive free entry into the 2021 Australia’s Wine List of the Year Awards.

A massive congratulations to all the finalists and top winners, and a big thank you for supporting the wines of NSW.
PRATICAL SCIENCE FOR VITICULTURE: a hands-on workshop in the laboratory
The National Wine and Grape Industry Centre is hosting a day of practical workshops to give grape growers and advisors information about new research and current science that can support management decisions in the vineyard.
When: Tuesday 8 June 8:30am to 3pm.
Where: Buildings 1002/1003 Charles Sturt University, Orange NSW
Cost: $25 – includes all workshops, morning tea and lunch
Including:
  • The biology, prevention and management of trunk disease pathogens
  • Using biodiversity and ecology to combat vineyard pests
  • Bud-fruitfulness, bud-dissections and implications for pruning 

Download a copy of the full program HERE.
Registration: HERE
Due to laboratory equipment requirements we are limited to a maximum of 40 participants so please register early if you’d like to attend.  
SHORT SIPS NEWS
+ Many congratulations to Scott Bartlett and Liz Riley who were awarded the HV Wine Award for Excellence in recognition for their work around smoke taint in the lead up to and during V20.
 
They would both like to thank the wider wine community that responded to their concerns, and provided epic support in terms of knowledge, analysis, logistics and funding over this difficult period – your assistance has not been forgotten.