Mr REPACHOLI (Hunter) (16:07): 

 I have always said the Hunter has the best wines in Australia, and I have once again been proven to be right. Tyrrell's vineyard has taken out the semillon trophy for its 2019 Pokolbin Hills semillon while at the 2023 National Wine Show of Australia.

The National Wine Show is a celebration of the resilience of an industry that has been challenged by COVID, bushfires, drought, flood and trade sanctions but which continues to produce some of the world's best and most exciting wines. The National Wine Show is widely regarded as the most important wine show in the country, and only the wines that have already won gold or silver in regional or capital city wine shows are eligible to enter. It is a competition between the best of the best, and the Hunter wine came out on top in the semillon category.

Winners usually enjoy increased domestic and international sales and heightened brand awareness. Now the world will know the Hunter has the best wines. There was a lot of tough competition for Tyrrell's, with 965 wines being entered into the National Wine Show this year, but nothing beats the wine which is made in the Hunter. Congratulations to Bruce and his team on their win.

I'm looking forward to having a glass or two with you in the near future.