Media Release dated 15 July 2008

NSW Takes Seven of the Top Australian Boutique Wine Awards.

Wine of the Show, at this the 13^th year of the awards, went to the Hunter Valley’s Warraroong Estate for their 2005 Semillon.

With a score of 56 the wine won top orders over some of Australia’s best known boutique players such as Redman Wines, Geoff Hardy, Redgate Wines, Hugh Hamilton, Saddler’s Creek and Centennial Vineyards.

(Full list follows).

The Estate Grown and Produced trophy was awarded to K1 by Geoff Hardy

2006 Chardonnay.

The inaugural Chris Killeen trophy for Fortified Wine was won by Mudgee’s

Abercorn Wines for their ‘A Reserve’ 2005 Vintage Port.

Over 1000 entries were judged by nine Australian judges Chaired by Huon Hooke.

Hooke, Gary Baldwin and Toni Paterson MW chaired three panels which included

TV personality (and wine buyer for Jamie Oliver’s restaurants) Matthew Skinner and Phillip Shaw - ex senior winemaker for Rosemount and then Southcorp.

Wine of the Show is sponsored by Dan Murphy’s and the winemaker receives an order for 100 dozen of the wine along with a perpetual trophy.

The 17 Top of Class wines will be available for sale at Dan Murphy’s Alexandria and also on taste at the Restaurant 08 industry festival to be held in Sydney during 11 and 12 August.

For the first time in the history of the awards New Zealand wines will be eligible for entry in 2009. Sponsor Mainfreight International will consolidate the freight and bring it into Sydney free of charge.