The NSW wine industry came together on 31 October to celebrate the trophy winning wines from the 2025 ICC Sydney NSW Wine Awards.

Hosted in Darling Harbour at ICC Sydney, 21 trophies were awarded including the ‘NSW Governor’s Trophy for the 2025 NSW Wine of the Year’, presented by Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC KC, Governor of NSW.

Proving again that NSW is home to unrivalled quality and diversity, 21 trophies were presented to 13 different wineries with wines from five different regions. Wines from Orange (5), Canberra District (5), Hunter Valley (8), Riverina (2) and Mudgee (1) made up the winners in a year where the judges saw consistency and excellence across all the the classes.

However, in a return to winning ways, it was the Hunter Valley’s First Creek Wines that took home top honours this year with its 2023 Single Vineyard Wills Hill Road Chardonnay.

Chair of Judges Adam Walls described the wine as “standing alongside the best Chardonnay’s in Australia and one that captures all that is great about modern day NSW Chardonnay".

View the full results from the 2025 ICC Sydney NSW Wine Awards here.

The NSW Wine Awards Ceremony was also a time to recognise individuals who have made a major contribution to the NSW wine industry with NSW Minister for Agriculture Tara Moriarty presenting the 2024 Graham Gregory Award to Sally Evans.

Ms Moriarty said: “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.

"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 said: “Sally’s commitment and impact on the wine industry is well known and I cannot think of a more popular recipient.

"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.”

Ms Evans said: "I am proud to be a part of the dynamic NSW wine industry, with its rich heritage and progressive outlook. 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.”

The 2025 NSW Wine Awards were proudly supported by Destination NSW.

Winners were announced on the eve of NSW Wine Month, which features a packed program of events and experiences that let wine lovers meet the people behind their favourite drops and discover something new and wonderful.

Learn more about NSW Wine Month here.