Young winemakers Peter and Cath Mullany from Ballinaclash orchard and cellar door have won the coveted Peter Robertson Trophy for the ‘Hilltops Wine of the Year’.
The award was presented at the Young Town Hall last Saturday after a public tasting of the 56 wines entered in the Hilltops Wine Show. The Shiraz was judged the “Best Wine of Show” from the 56 entries and was also awarded a Gold medal and Trophy for the ‘Best Hilltops Shiraz’.
The Ballinaclash 2016 Edward Shiraz was also awarded the ‘Champion wine of Show’ at the Canberra Wine Show on Friday night.
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Peter and Cath Mullany said they were thrilled that their Ballinaclash 2016 Edward Shiraz won the award at The Hilltops Wine Show.
"We had had a good week which started at the New South Wales small winemakers awards when we got the trophy for best shiraz and best red of show," Mr Mullany said.
"Then to win at Canberra was also a thrill, we made a night of that, but then to come back to Young the next day and win there, that was just pretty special."
Mr Mullany said he felt confident that the Shiraz was in the running for something but to win was very humbling.
"So in one week, we got seven trophies, but in the last 20 years of winemaking, we have only managed three trophies. So we'll take this, and we are very pleased," he said.
"We are pretty happy, and we think this is a bloody good wine and we are very proud to be a part of the success of the Hilltops.
"The bigger wineries Mcwilliams, Grove Estate, Moppity Vineyards, Freeman Vineyards and Chalkers Crossing have put our region on the map, and we are proud to be in that sort of company."
Freeman Vineyards continued their success in the Hilltops Wine Show with a trophy for their 2016 Sangiovese which was judged the best wine in the ‘Italian Varietal’ category. Freeman Vineyards also won the award for the ‘Best White Wine’ category with their 2013 Dolcino Viognier.
Hilltops Wine Show spokesman Terry Mulligan said the 2017 show was a huge success.
"Over 70 people attended the awards presentation at the Young Town Hall, we wish to thank all who attended, and in particular, thank McWilliams Wines as our major wine show sponsor," he said.
"We also thank Donges IGA Supermarket, Richard Mellish Insurances Services, Thompson’s Rural Supplies, Landmark and Powderly’s Pumping and Irrigation who each sponsored one of the award categories of the Wine Show."

Craig Thomson
I am a media and communications professional with experience across print, digital, social and radio broadcast. I am currently an Editor at Australian Community Media of three southeast Queensland mastheads, the Redland City Bulletin, the Jimboomba Times and the Beaudesert Times. I was a Senior Journalist, at the Glen Innes Examiner before becoming the editor of the Young Witness, then the Daily Liberal and then seven suburban mastheads in southeast Sydney, including St George and Sutherland Shire Leader. I was a Radio Broadcaster/Presenter on Bay FM, a Music Journalist, a Travel Blogger, a Film and Television Analyst/Writer and a Political Commentator. I was a serious musician, but now I am just an enthusiastic hobbyist.
I am a media and communications professional with experience across print, digital, social and radio broadcast. I am currently an Editor at Australian Community Media of three southeast Queensland mastheads, the Redland City Bulletin, the Jimboomba Times and the Beaudesert Times. I was a Senior Journalist, at the Glen Innes Examiner before becoming the editor of the Young Witness, then the Daily Liberal and then seven suburban mastheads in southeast Sydney, including St George and Sutherland Shire Leader. I was a Radio Broadcaster/Presenter on Bay FM, a Music Journalist, a Travel Blogger, a Film and Television Analyst/Writer and a Political Commentator. I was a serious musician, but now I am just an enthusiastic hobbyist.