On Friday 15 August 2025, the Hunter Valley’s winemaking community gathered at the Oaks Cypress Lakes Resort for the Hunter Valley Wine Show to celebrate the newest pours emerging from Australia’s oldest wine region.
On the day, our Sweetwater 2023 Shiraz was the crown jewel of the show, taking home FOUR Trophies.
The Doug Seabrook Memorial Trophy for Best Red Wine of Show
Len Evans Trophy for Best Single Vineyard Red
Hector Tulloch Memorial Trophy for Best Shiraz
Stibbard- Hulin Trophy for Best Two-Year-Old Shiraz
Image Left: Sweetwater Wines Head Winemaker Bryan Currie. Image Centre: Amongst winners on the day. Image Right: Sabine Duval with Len Evans Trophy. Photo: Chris Elfes.
On the win our Senior Winemaker Bryan Currie said:
“The 2023 Sweetwater Shiraz is a wine we’re incredibly proud of, and to see it recognised among the best from Australia’s oldest wine region makes the hard work in the vineyard and winery all the more rewarding."
"The Sweetwater vineyard has such a unique character, and the 2023 Shiraz really captures that. These awards are a credit to everyone involved, from the vineyard crew through to the winemaking crew — it’s a true team effort."
"For us, these gongs are not just about recognition but about sharing what makes Hunter Valley Shiraz so special. We can’t wait for more people to experience the 2023 Sweetwater Shiraz — it’s a wine that speaks of place, season, and passion."
“To be awarded Best Shiraz from the outstanding 2023 vintage amongst the top wines from all our peers, and then to go on to be awarded another three trophies including Best Red Wine of Show is both amazing and humbling at the same time. Sweetwater vineyard has shown many times its ability to produce fantastic fruit of the highest quality, and I am thrilled to make a wine that the judges have decided is the best of the region from such a great vintage.”
This wine boasts a deep colour, with captivating aromas of cherry, plum, and violet. Natural fermentation followed by oak barrel maturation has crafted a velvety-soft palate with impressive length.
These recent accolades are additions to a growing list of awards for this wine.
Reflecting on the red wines on show, International Judge Dr Edward Rag MW remarked:
“Hunter Valley Shiraz is truly a unique style with its range of darker fruits, spice and black pepper - they are predominantly medium bodied with a restrained use of new oak and lower alcohols. What excites me most is that winemakers want to express different styles, characteristic of their specific sites. The 2023 vintage is clearly very strong…”
Image: Sweetwater Wines Brand, National Sales & Export Manager, Sabine Duval, with the Len Evans Trophy. Photo: Chris Elfes.
Official results
Stibbard-Hulin Trophy
Best Two-Year-Old Shiraz
Sponsor: Hahn Corporation
Sweetwater Estate 2023 Shiraz
Hector Tulloch Memorial Trophy
Best Shiraz
Sweetwater Estate 2023 Shiraz
Len Evans Trophy
Best Single Vineyard Red Wine
Sponsor: Insight Wealth Planning
Sweetwater Estate 2023 Shiraz
Doug Seabrook Memorial Trophy
Best Red Wine of the Show
Sponsor: PKF
Sweetwater Estate 2023 Shiraz
You can view all results here.
The 2025 PKF Hunter Valley Wine Show was the 53rd instalment of the awards. 250+ entries were judged at the Lone Pine Barracks at the Singleton Army Base from Monday 11th to Wednesday 13th August. The Hunter Valley Wine Show was the first regional wine show in Australia, originally held in 1847. Respected nationally, the show has run continuously since 1973, recognising and celebrating excellence in Hunter Valley winemaking.
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