Mudgee’s establishment winemakers Robert Stein Wines and Huntington Estate have forged a bright future for the region, being awarded four trophies at the 2024 Sydney Royal Wine Show.

Building on a combined winemaking history of over 100 years, the two winemakers have firmly announced a new and exciting era for Mudgee. The awards, for four separate wines, comprise:

The Douglas Lamb Perpetual Trophy for Best Riesling

2017 Robert Stein Riesling

The RAS of NSW Annual Prize for Best Current Vintage White

2024 Robert Stein Dry Riesling

The NSW Department of Primary Industries James Busby Perpetual Trophy for Best NSW Wine

2023 Robert Stein ‘Reserve’ Riesling

The George Mackey Memorial Perpetual Trophy for Best Grenache

2023 Huntington Estate ‘Special Reserve’ Grenache

A Robert Stein Riesling has now been awarded three Best Riesling Trophies in the past five Sydney Royal Wine Shows.  To win the Riesling Trophy, across several years, cements Mudgee and Robert Stein Wines as one of Australian preeminent Riesling winemakers. This is further reinforced with a range of the Riesling styles and vintages awarded.

“To win these Trophies far exceeds all of our expectations,” says winemaker and owner Jacob Stein. “While we have a strong focus on Riesling, to consistently be awarded The Douglas Lamb Trophy is truly fantastic. Our history with growing Riesling dates to 1838 when our forebears established Riesling vines at Macarthur’s Camden Park Vineyard; if only they could see how far we’ve come.”

Huntington Estate have built a reputation for making some of the region’s finest red wines. “Bob Roberts planted Grenache in the late 1990s for blending material,” explains Huntington Estate owner and winemaker Tim Stevens. “A decade ago we replanted the vines on our toughest soils with a view to making a Grenache of the highest quality once the vines reached maturity. The Mudgee climate – remarkably similar to parts of Spain and the Southern Rhone Valley in France – is perfect for growing Grenache, particularly in this modern, medium-bodied style.

“We set out to make a modern, medium-bodied wine that is fresh and vibrant. The style demands a strong mid-palate that is not cloying, has supple tannins that are mouth coating and juicy, with and a clean and long finish. I believe we have done all of that with the 2023 Special Reserve Grenache. But the vines are just ten years old, so the best is yet to come.”

“New South Wales did exceptionally well at this year’s show and what really stood out for me was the range of renowned producers who have won trophies with wine varietals that are not traditional to their area. For a Mudgee Grenache to not only claim Best Grenache but also be a strong contender for best red is outstanding,” said Chair of Judges, Sarah Crowe.

The Trophies for these Mudgee wines reveal the continued evolution and diversity of Mudgee.