Tumbarumba’s Juliet Cullen with 2026 Sommelier of the Year Shun Eto. Image courtesy Matt Beaver
Tumbarumba was well represented in Sydney last week, with local vignerons Stuart Barclay, Richard Cottam and Elvie Yates attending key wine industry events aimed at shaping the future of Australia’s grape and wine sector.
The trio joined representatives from wine regions across New South Wales, including the Hunter Valley, Orange, Canberra District, Southern Highlands, Riverina and Shoalhaven Coast, for an industry workshop featuring Wine Australia CEO Martin Cole, Australian Grape & Wine CEO Lee McLean and NSW Wine President Mark Bourne.
The workshop explored progress on the industry’s national One Sector Plan, research priorities, consumer trends and advocacy issues affecting grapegrowers and winemakers across the country.
Like many agricultural industries, the wine sector continues to navigate a complex mix of challenges including rising costs, labour shortages, changing consumer preferences, increasing compliance requirements, climatic extremes and uncertainty in global markets.
Among the topics discussed were the development of a National Vineyard Register, opportunities in emerging wine categories such as mid-strength wines, the importance of the domestic market for smaller producers, and the ongoing need for mental health support within regional communities.
Participants also discussed the proposed expansion of Container Deposit Schemes to include wine and spirit bottles from 2027. While the initiative aims to improve glass recycling outcomes and support community fundraising opportunities, concerns remain about the additional administrative and compliance costs that may be borne by smaller wine businesses.
The workshop followed an evening reception at NSW Parliament House, where grapegrowers, winemakers and sommeliers met with members of parliament and industry leaders to discuss issues affecting the sector. Key discussion points included the proposed container deposit changes and potential impacts on land tax exemptions for some primary producers.
The evening also featured the NSW Sommelier Wine List awards, hosted by NSW Wine and Destination NSW. The prestigious Sommelier of the Year Award was won by Shun Eto from Altitude Restaurant at the Shangri-La Sydney.
Eto, along with NSW Wine Outstanding Service Award recipient Angelica Nohra from The Blue Door, previously attended the Tumbarumba Vignerons Association’s Immerse Tumbarumba program in 2022. The initiative brought sommeliers, buyers, winemakers and other wine trade professionals to the region to experience first-hand the people, vineyards and wines that make Tumbarumba unique.
Both have since become strong advocates for the region, with Tumbarumba wines and wines made from Tumbarumba fruit featuring prominently on their wine lists.
“It was wonderful to see familiar faces recognised at the awards,” Yates said.
“What was equally pleasing was that they recognised us too. It is a sign that awareness of the Tumbarumba wine region continues to grow within the industry.”
While Tumbarumba has earned a reputation among wine professionals as one of Australia’s premium cool-climate regions, local representatives say there is still significant opportunity to build recognition with the broader public.
“Events such as these are important opportunities to promote Tumbarumba and ensure our region has a voice in discussions that will influence the future of the Australian wine industry,” Yates said.
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