Tom Ward's legacy in the sustainable wine world is growing.
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The owner, winemaker and viticulturist at Swinging Bridge Wines in Orange, Mr Ward took out 2022 Graham Gregory Award at the ICC Sydney Wine Awards last week.
The presentation was made at a lunch at Darling Harbour.
Mr Ward is the youngest person to receive the award. Each winner is someone who has consistently played a leadership role in state and regional organisations and who has grown the profile of NSW wines and provided a platform for others to succeed.
Mr Ward is the former, long-time president of the Orange Region Vignerons Association.
"Tom is a well-deserved Graham Gregory Award winner. His contribution to the NSW wine industry at regional, state and national levels is so impressive and a sign of his commitment to a sustainable future for the first state of wine. We thank him for his significant long-lasting legacies to the NSW wine industry," NSW Wine President Mr Mark Bourne said.
Ward's top gong was one of many dished out at the ICC Sydney Wine Awards earlier in November.
Whilst an Orange wine narrowly missed out on the main trophy, seven out of the 16 wines honoured at the Awards were from Orange wine region fruit.
In total, 20 trophies were presented for the state's best wines, including the 'NSW Governor's Trophy for the 2023 NSW Wine of the Year', presented by Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC QC, Governor of New South Wales.
In what was a highly competitive year, the winner was Hunter Valley's First Creek Wines with its 2022 Single Vineyard Wills Hill Road Chardonnay. It was a wine that Chair of Judges Mr Nick Spencer described as "a wonderful and powerful example of Chardonnay with great concentration, length and phenolics".
While the Hunter Valley claimed top honours, the other 15 winning wines on the day shone a light on grape growers and winemakers from across the state including Orange, Canberra District, Hilltops and the Riverina. A full list of all trophy winners is below.
The day was also an opportunity to recognise individuals that have made a significant contribution to the NSW wine industry. Kate Lorimer-Ward, Deputy Director General at NSW Department of Primary Industries, was this year's presenter of the 2022 Graham Gregory Award, won by Mr Ward.
The 2023 ICC Sydney NSW Wine Awards trophy winners are:
NSW Governor's Trophy for 2023 NSW Wine of the Year - First Creek Wines 2022 Single Vineyard Wills Hill Road Chardonnay
- Blue NRG Trophy for Best White Wine in Show - First Creek Wines 2022 Single Vineyard Wills Hill Road Chardonnay, Hunter Valley
- Orora Trophy for Best Red Wine in Show - Eden Road 2021 Canberra Syrah, Canberra District
- ICC Sydney Trophy for Best Sparkling Wine - Printhie Wines Swift 2015 Brut, Orange
- MCC Label Trophy for Best Sweet Wine - Lillypilly 2021 Noble Blend, Riverina
- ICC Sydney Trophy for Best Fortified - De Bortoli NV Show Liqueur Muscat, Riverina
- Riedel Trophy for Best Sauvignon Blanc - Logan 2023 Weemala Sauvignon Blanc, Orange
- Blue NRG Trophy for Best Riesling - Lark Hill 2023 Regional Riesling, Canberra District
- NSW DPI Trophy for Best Semillon - Brokenwood 2017 ILR Reserve Semillon, Hunter Valley
- MCC Label Trophy for Best Pinot Grigio/Gris - Angullong 2023 Pinot Grigio, Orange
- Orora Trophy for Best Chardonnay - First Creek Wines 2022 Single Vineyard Wills Hill Road Chardonnay, Hunter Valley
- Charles Sturt University Gulbali Institute Trophy for Best Other White Varietal - Bimbadgen 2023 Growers Vermentino, Hunter Valley
- Nexia Trophy for Best White Wine Blend - Mada Wines 2023 Blanc, Hilltops
- Riedel Trophy for Best Pinot Noir - See Saw 2022 Balance Organic Pinot Noir, Orange
- Nexia Trophy for Best Shiraz - Eden Road 2021 Canberra Syrah, Canberra District
- Finlayson's Trophy for Best Cabernet Sauvignon - Tulloch 2022 Cellar Door Release Cabernet Sauvignon, Orange
- Finlayson's Trophy for Best Other Red Wine Varietal - Canobolas Wines 2022 Cabernet Franc, Orange
- Charles Sturt University Gulbali Institute Trophy for Best Red Wine Blend - Horner Wines 2022 Reserve Shiraz Marsanne, Orange
- NSW DPI Best Organic Wine Award - Horner Wines 2022 Reserve Shiraz Marsanne, Orange
- Chair of Judges Trophy for Best Canberra District Wine - Mount Majura Vineyard 2023 Riesling, Canberra District
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