HILLTOPS WINE OF 2025
It was a glorious calm summer evening at Barwang Wines for the annual Hilltops Wine of the Year celebration !
The Trophy was awarded to Hungerford Hill Tempranillo Graciano 2024 made by winemaker Bryan Currie, an unabashed fan of the Hilltops region’s grapes, on hand to receive the Trophy from Joe Conneely, Hilltops Council.
Bryan Currie has deep connection to the region right back to the McWilliam family ownership of the heritage Barwang Vineyard, now in the caring hands of the sixth-gen farming Bowman family who acquired Barwang in 2023.
The Hilltops Wine of the Year is presented to the top-scoring Hilltops GI wine judged at the Canberra & Region Wine Show, going for the third time to Hungerford Hill in the past four years.
Bryan Currie is convinced the Hilltops grows Australia’s best tempranillo. He is also a fan of the sibling Spanish origin variety, Graciano, a newer addition that he encouraged be added to the region’s grapescape.
The winning blend is an intensely aromatic and flavoured, resonant wine with ripe red cherry and berry notes from the Tempranillo plus a touch of dark berry complexity from the Graciano. Subtle floral notes and a hint of dried herbs lead into this memorable mid-weight wine. French oak aging adds layers of vanilla and toasted spice underpinned by supple integrated tannins supporting the powerful long palate. Pour with paella.
