Sixteen Hunter Valley producers have been recognised with trophies at the 2026 PKF Hunter Valley Wine Show, celebrating the strength and diversity of one of Australia’s most historic wine regions.

The 54th annual show attracted 69 exhibitors and 652 entries, with judging taking place over three days at Singleton Showground before winners were announced at a celebration luncheon at Oaks Cypress Lakes Resort.

International judge Dr Jamie Goode said the Hunter Valley continued to stand apart for its unique history and regional character.

“The Hunter Valley has this beautiful historical thread, and its location is quite unique, so when you come here and taste the wines you discover this place is producing some fantastic wines,” he said.

Shiraz was a major highlight, with De Iuliis Wines taking out the Doug Seabrook Memorial Trophy for Best Red Wine of Show for its 2023 Limited Release Shiraz.

The wine also received the Hector Tulloch Memorial Trophy for Best Shiraz and the James Busby Memorial Trophy for Best Three-Year-Old and Older Shiraz.

Thomas Wines also had a strong showing, with its 2024 Sweetwater Ridge Shiraz named Best Single Vineyard Red Wine and Best Two-Year-Old Shiraz, while its 2025 Synergy Shiraz was awarded Best Current Vintage and One-Year-Old Shiraz.

Goode described the Hunter’s shiraz as among the standout wines of the competition.

“I was most impressed by the shiraz. The focus, precision and age worthiness of the shiraz brackets are quite unlike anything else in Australia,” he said.

Semillon again proved a cornerstone of the region, with Brokenwood Wines securing Best White Wine of Show for its 2019 ILR Reserve Semillon.

The wine also received trophies for Best Single Vineyard White Wine, Best Semillon and Best Two-Year-Old and Older Semillon.

Brokenwood also collected the trophy for Best Current Semillon for its 2026 Oakey Creek Vineyard Stockyards Block Semillon.

Silkman Wines dominated the chardonnay classes, winning all three chardonnay trophies, while Audrey Wilkinson secured the Iain Riggs Wine of Provenance award for the second consecutive year.

Bonvilla Estate was named Best Wine from a Small Producer for its 2026 Single Vineyard Semillon.

The show also recognised the next generation of Hunter wine talent, with Jeremy O’Brien of Davis Family Group receiving the 2026 Tyrrell Family Advanced Viticulture Scholarship and Michael Wells of Usher Tinkler Wines and Thea Wines awarded the 2026 Alasdair Sutherland Scholarship.

Hunter Valley Wine and Tourism Association chief executive Jennie Curran said the region’s future remained in strong hands.

“The Hunter Valley’s reputation is built by the people who choose to stay and build their careers here,” she said.

Get all the latest Newcastle news, sport, real estate, entertainment, lifestyle and more delivered straight to your inbox with the Newcastle Weekly Daily Newsletter. Sign up here.