The NSW wine industry gathered in Darling Harbour to celebrate the winners of the 2025 ICC Sydney NSW Wine Awards. The top honour went to the Hunter Valley’s First Creek Wines for its 2023 Single Vineyard Wills Hill Road Chardonnay.
Held at ICC Sydney, 21 trophies were presented, including the NSW Governor’s Trophy for the 2025 NSW Wine of the Year, awarded by Margaret Beazley AC KC, governor of NSW.
This year’s awards showcased the quality and diversity of NSW wines, with 13 wineries from five regions receiving trophies. Wines from Orange, Canberra District, Hunter Valley, Riverina and Mudgee were recognised for their consistency and excellence across all categories.
The top honour went to the Hunter Valley’s First Creek Wines for its 2023 Single Vineyard Wills Hill Road Chardonnay. The awards also recognised contributions to the state’s wine community. The minister for agriculture, Tara Moriarty, presented the 2024 Graham Gregory Award to Sally Evans.
“The Graham Gregory Award is the highest honour in the NSW wine industry, recognising individuals who have made outstanding contributions to winemaking, education, and market development,” said Moriarty.
“Sally Evans exemplifies the values this award represents, and on behalf of the NSW Government I want to acknowledge her exceptional achievements.
“Sally’s leadership, industry advocacy, and commitment to mentoring have a profound impact on the NSW wine community and her influence continues to shape the future of the industry both locally and nationally.”
NSW Wine president Mark Bourne added that Evans’ commitment and impact on the wine industry is well known.
“Instigator of the James Busby Trophy for Best NSW Wine at the Sydney Royal Wine Show, Chair of the Len Evans Tutorial, long-serving Councillor, Chair and Board Member of the Royal Agricultural Society and mentor to countless wine industry professionals Sally has been a consistent force for good in the NSW wine industry,” he said.
“To be named as the recipient of the 2024 Graham Gregory Award is an overwhelming honour. It’s been a privilege to make my own modest contribution to one of Australia’s most enduring and cherished industries,” said Evans.