Wednesday, 29 October 2025
Government House
Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC KC

Bujari Gamarruwa

Diyn Babana, Gamarada Gadigal Ngura

In greeting you in the language of the Gadigal, Traditional Owners of these lands and waterways, I pay my respects to their Elders past, present, and emerging. I extend that respect to the Elders of all parts of our country from which you have travelled today.

Well… the weather today could be finer, but the company here at Government House could not possibly be better.

Normally tradition dictates I begin my welcome remarks with an acknowledgment of the dignitaries present, careful not to leave anybody out or, worse still, put them in the wrong order.

Today, however, I refrain. Not because we have no dignitaries—there are at least nine parliamentarians, including two ministers,^[1] in attendance, an indication, if ever one were needed, of the importance of this occasion—but because everyone present today is a Very Important Person in a Very Important Pursuit.

Whether through growing and producing wines; promoting or selling them; or as advocates and avid consumers of the spectacular varietals produced right across NSW’s 16 wine regions, you are all vital contributors to our State.

We have another, perhaps less formal tradition here at Government House. It involves coming up with a collective noun to describe the guests drawn to a specific event. Sometimes it requires a little thought… Today is one of those occasions. After all, this is a diverse crowd: we have parliamentarians; representatives from the NSW Wine Industry Association; vignerons and vintners; sommeliers and restaurateurs; sellers, servers, and the all-important consumer. What all hold in common, throughout, is a love of wine.

So… the staff came up with … a crush. A crush of producers and afficionados of the world's best wines.

Now, when I say the ‘world’s best wines’, it goes without saying that I mean wines from NSW.

However, in terms of the broader NSW public, this awareness of the excellence of our local wines seems limited. That is, despite our otherwise understandable State parochialism, when it comes to consumption of local wines, we lag behind our interstate friends.^[2]

NSW is a national leader in wine tourism when measured by international visitors to our regions^[3] but in metropolitan centres, engagement with NSW wines is more subdued.

For instance, local NSW wines, on average, make up only 13% of wines on any given wine list in Greater Sydney restaurants, bars, clubs, or other venues.^[4] Obviously, this is not the result of quality, but of exposure.

Unlike other States, the wine industry in NSW is dominated by smaller wineries—up to 75% of the annual crush in this State comes from family businesses; nationwide, that proportion is only 33%.^[5]

Economy of scale means it can be difficult for smaller businesses to market and promote their wines beyond their region and, in particular, the crowded Sydney market.

And this is where the NSW Wine Industry Association have stepped in.

On Friday, the trophy winners of the NSW Wine Awards, now in its 30th iteration, will be announced. And indeed, many of the gold medallists in the running for those Awards will be available shortly for sampling. Hence, it is likely that you will have the opportunity to taste a 2025 trophy winner today.

Last year, in addition to, and springing from those Awards, the team at NSW Wine made the decision that something extra needed to be added to the mix: an entire month devoted to celebrating NSW Wine.

It is a celebration centred on the idea that wine is more than a taste… it is an experience. Wrapped up in that idea is not only the subtleties of flavour but also the story behind their production… the people, the regions, and the traditions from which a wine has been so lovingly drawn. It is about connecting with these stories, learning new things, and, in doing so, enjoying the best our State has to offer.

The warmest of congratulations to all in this room, not only for your involvement in NSW Wine Month 2025, but also for your considerable and ongoing contribution to the wine industry in this State.

To wine, to NSW, and to NSW Wine Month 2025!