It nearly didn’t happen because of coronavirus, but the 2020 Royal Hobart Wine Show was held on October 28 2020.
What is one of Australia’s biggest wine shows had been scaled back to a two day event this year (Oct 28 and Oct 29) to make it COVID-safe.
Coronavirus travel restrictions this year meant interstate and overseas judges could not be brought in for the Show, but the depth of expertise within the Tasmanian wine sector means the judging panel could be selected entirely from Tasmanian wine specialists.
“Earlier in the year we felt the wine show would have to be cancelled this year,” said Scott Gadd, CEO of the Royal Agricultural Society of Tasmania. “But the industry was tremendously supportive that it should proceed”
“So we scaled back the usual event for this year, and we made entry free, with the result that entries surpassed our anticipated 300 and totalled over 500 from all over Australia.”
This year’s coronavirus-compliant show is restricted to six trophies: Best Riesling, Best Chardonnay, Best Other Wine Varieties (Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Gris), Best Pinot Noir, Best Sparkling, and the Chair’s Trophy for Best Wine in Show.
“On behalf of our entrants and the wine industry, I want to thank our sponsors who returned in a difficult economic period to support both the event and through it, the wine industry, which has suffered a hard year because of bushfires and COVID-19,” said Scott Gadd.
This year the announcement of winners was via Face Book Live Streaming . You can see the announcement at https://www.facebook.com/HobartShowground/.
2020 Royal Hobart Wine Show judges
- Jeremy Dineen, Chair of Judges
- Tom Wallace
- Penny Jones
- Pipe Anderson
- Ockie Myburgh
- Anne Pooley
- Peter Dredge
The judges will be supported by a team of 11 stewards.
2020 Winners
Best Riesling
Jim Barry Wines – 2020 Single Vineyard McKays
Best Chardonnay
Pinnacle Drinks – 2019 Vandemonian Coal River Valley Single Vineyard
Best Other Whites
Eddystone Point – 2020 Eddystone Point Pinot Gris
Best Sparkling
House of Arras – Arras Grand Vintage
Best Pinot Noir
Kreglinger Wine Estate – 2019 Pipers Brook
Chairman’s Trophy
Jansz Tasmania – 2015 Jansz Tasmania Vintage Cuvee