We normally enter our wines in the two Hunter Valley shows because we are interested in comparing our wines with other Hunter wines. These shows are the Hunter Valley Boutique Winemakers Show, which is restricted to wineries and grape growers processing or producing less than 350 tonnes per year, and the Hunter Valley Wine Show which is open to all wines made from Hunter Valley fruit.
We have entered 63 wines in these shows and have been awarded 38 medals and 2 trophies:
- Trophies for the best wine in its class in The Hunter Valley Boutique Winemakers Show, to our 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon and 2003 Cabernet Franc.
- Three Gold Medals – two for the above wines and another for our 2003 Shiraz in the Hunter Valley Wine Show.
- Seven Silver Medals, and
- Twenty eight Bronze medals.
The Gold Medal for the 2003 Shiraz was the first Gold we have been awarded in Hunter Valley Show – the “big boys” show, and the only Gold Medal awarded to an Upper Hunter wine in that show that year.
In the 2003 Boutique Winemakers Show our twelve entries were awarded ten medals, making Callatoota the most successful red wine exhibitor in that show.
In these shows each wine is judged by three very experienced judges who award points out of 20 on the basis of up to 3 for colour and clarity, up to 7 for aroma and bouquet and up to 10 for palate (flavour). The scores of the three judges are totalled and medals awarded as follows:
- Gold 55.5 + points out of a possible 60 (92.5%)
- Silver 51 to 55 points out of 60 (85%)
- Bronze 46.5 to 50.5 (77.5%)
Trophies are awarded to the top scoring gold medal wine in each class.