The Chair is always asked to select a wine from a particular region, with the Riverina selected this year in recognition of it's importance to Australia's wine industry. The Riverina is responsible for around 20 per cent of Australia's entire production, but was particularly cited as an epicentre for innovation and a particular focus on growing grape varieties suitable to Australia's changing climate.

Dr Leigh Schmidtke, the Director of the National Wine and Grape Industry Centre, said, "It is great to see the Riverina get such significant recognition. The Riverina has been the powerhouse of the NSW wine industry for many years now."

De Bortoli Wines took out two trophies, along with Trimboli Family Wines who took home another two. The full results of the 2021 ICC Sydney NSW Wine Awards area available online.

The Riverina also powered through the 2021 WCA Sydney Royal Wine Show, cementing it as a centrepiece of the Australian wine world.

Lillypilly Wines, a boutique winery in Leeton, won two awards for their 2019 Petit Verdot, a dry red. The wine took out the George Mackey Memorial Perpetual Trophy for Best Value Red, as well as a gold medal for red varietals. The wine holds a score of 95 out of a possible 100.

Robert Fiumara from Lillypilly said he was 'overwhelmed' by the victory.

"I'm extremely happy about it all, I'm overwhelmed a little bit. I'm proud of what we've achieved in our little winery, it's been a really great result," he said.

"It was a lovely award to win, considering it's such a wide show."

Mr Fiumara added that it was a bit of a full circle moment for Lillypilly, with their first award coming from the same competition.

"First time we've won an award was when we first started in 1982, we made our first wine. The '82 Tremolo won the best NSW white wine at the show - it was nice to come back all these years later and win a trophy for a dry red."

He attributed the secret to hard work, and luck.

"Just work for 40 years and get it right. As a winemaker, every year you just try your best to make the best you can. Obviously, we've got the right climate and flavour this year. Everything really lined up to get us the gold," he said.

De Bortoli Wines, true to form, took out a number of awards as well. De Bortoli took out the Hanaminno Perpetual trophy for 'Best Sweet White', as well as the InterContact Perpetual Trophy for 'Best Sparkling Red'. Finally, their 2020 Villages Tempranillo Touriga won the John Swann Perpetual Trophy for 'Best Other Red Blend.'

John Coughlan from De Bortoli said it was a team effort.

"Everyone involved from the growers through to the packing, it's been a team effort. It's a good way to end the year," he said.

"We've also just won one for best prosecco from the Australian Sparkling Show. Everyone's quite proud of their achievements, we're really happy."

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