It’s the Hunter Valley’s night of nights, which sees almost four hundred of the local wine industry’s stalwarts celebrate the region’s successes and recognise talent, at the annual Hunter Valley Wine Industry & Legends Awards. The prestigious black-tie awards presentation was held on Thursday 8th June at Rydges Hunter Valley.
 
For Andrew Thomas, owner winemaker of leading Semillon and Shiraz specialist Thomas Wines, renowned for producing exceptional wines with focus on these two signature varieties of the region, it was confirmation that they are at the top of their game, being named Winemaker of the Year for a record third time. Only one other winemaker in the region has received such recognition which puts Andrew Thomas right at the pinnacle of winemaking in the region.

“I am humbled and delighted to receive this award, it gives recognition to all the hard work and attention to detail that we apply to our winemaking every day as well as the successes we have achieved with our wines, particularly over the last 12 months.” comments Andrew Thomas of his recent acknowledgement.
 
Andrew, or “Thommo” as he’s best known, was on a wine trade mission to Japan on the night of the 16^th rendition of the Legends Awards and while he was disappointed not to be at the awards evening in person, was proud that his two sons Dan - who works in the business as Assistant Winemaker, and local viticulturalist son Remy, were able to accept the award on his behalf.
 
“Making wine is definitely a team effort, and I would like to acknowledge my son Dan who has been working alongside me for the last three years, as well as all of my staff who work tirelessly in the pursuit of promoting excellence with the two signature varieties of our region. I was proud that Dan (and Remy) could accept this award in my absence, as it really is a combined effort for which he deserves to be a part of this recognition” he adds.
 
The First Creek Winemaking Services Winemaker of the Year award was created to recognise a Hunter Valley winemaker who has achieved recent success on the wine show circuit as well as having made a significant contribution to the promotion of their wines as well as the Hunter Valley’s wines in general. For Thommo who has been making wine for 37 years in the Hunter Valley and producing wines under his own Thomas Wines label for 25 years, winning this award in 2008, 2014 and now for the third time in 2023, shows incredible commitment and consistency in producing some of the region’s best wines year after year.
 
Thomas Wines has had huge success on the 2022 wine show circuit which is a consideration for judging of the Winemaker of the Year. Thomas Wines, having won 4 trophies and 8 gold medals was named Most Successful Exhibitor in the 2022 Hunter Valley Boutique Wine Show, at the same show winning the Trophy for Best Aged Semillon for the 2013 Braemore Cellar Reserve Semillon as well as the Trophy for Best Mature Red for the 2017 Kiss Shiraz and the Best Open Vintage Shiraz for the 2017 Elenay Shiraz.
 
Adding to the long list of trophies in the 2022 judging year, he went on to win the Trophy for Best Red of Show for the 2021 Elenay Shiraz and Best One Year Old Shiraz also for the 2021 Elenay at the NSW Small Winemakers Show and later named Best Young Semillon at the Winewise Awards in 2022 for his Thomas Braemore Semillon 2022.
 
At the highly regarded Hunter Valley Wine Show in 2022, Thomas Synergy Shiraz 2021 was named Best One Year Old Shiraz of Show. Thomas received 3 Golds from 3 entries in the 2022 NSW Wine Awards. Thomas Wines maintained the highest Halliday Wine Companion rating of Red 5 Stars for 2023. Both signature wines – Thomas Kiss Shiraz and Thomas Braemore Semillon were included in the inaugural The Real Review Classification each receiving 2 Merits, as well as Thomas Wines being included in the Top Wineries Of Australia, further adding to a hugely successful 2022-2023 judging year and consolidating the Winemaker of the Year win for Thommo in 2023.
 
The Hunter Valley Wine Industry & Legends Awards, now in its sixteenth year are an important part of the ongoing recognition for the local wine industry, and Andrew would like to recognise all the work of the local industry and his peers who have contributed to the regions success and thanks them for endorsing this incredible recognition of being named Winemaker of the Year for the 3^rd time.
 
Thomas Wines is located on Hermitage Road, corner of Mistletoe Lane and is open 7 days a week for tastings and some of the regions leading wine tasting experiences which are bookable in advance by visiting thomaswines.com.au