Mr REPACHOLI (Hunter) (13:47) 

We have done it again. I've stood here on many occasions banging the drum for Hunter wineries being the best in the world, and the recent New South Wales Wine Awards showed why. Hunter wines took out 36 gold and eight top gold medals, along with the prestigious New South Wales Governor's trophy for 2023 best wine in show. This highlights the quality and craftsmanship of our local wineries, with First Creek Wines 2022 Single Vineyard Wills Hill Road Chardonnay earning best chardonnay and best white wine in the show, as well as the New South Wales Governor's 2023 best-in-show trophy. This is a remarkable achievement.

Congratulations to Brokenwood Wines for securing the gold medal for the best semillon, with the 2017 ILR Reserve Semillon 100, and to Bimbadgen for the gold medal in the best white single varietal category for the 2023 Growers Vermentino. Well done to Ash and Lauren from Horner Wines for clinching the gold medal for best organic wine with the 2022 Reserve Shiraz Marsanne, which also won gold medal for best red blend. Tulloch Wines' 2022 Cellar Door Release cab sav earned the gold medal for the best cab sav, adding another layer of excellence to the Hunter's achievements.

The Hunter Valley continues to shine on the global wine stage, and these accolades are well deserved. Cheers to the winemakers, the vineyard managers and everyone involved in making these exceptional wines possible.